Sunday, October 21, 2007

Lexus LS 600h L

Longer, lower, heavier and more powerful than the LS 460, the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L is intended to be a showcase for Lexus technology and an icon for the brand. It is, simply, the ultimate Lexus. Only about 2000 units will be made.

The LS 600h comes with the latest full-hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive.

Swift and stable on the road, the LS 600h L blends luxury, performance and ecologically efficient innovations to make a unique luxury car. The full-hybrid drive system delivers performance on a par with a 6-liter V12 engine, yet with mileage comparable to a V6 powered sedan. According to Lexus engineers, the LS 600h L produces exhaust emissions nearly 70 percent cleaner than the cleanest competitors.

The LS 600h will be offered strictly as a long-wheelbase model, hence the L in the model nomenclature. The additional length this stretched version offers translates into just a little less than five inches of additional rear leg room. Nine colors are available, in a palate of pearlescent and metallic paints.

The interior is crafted in subdued, tasteful colors. Wood and leather materials are used to accent touch points such as the steering wheel, assist handles, instrument panel, and shift knob. In keeping with Lexus design philosophy, every effort has been made to cleanly integrate controls and features without adding clutter. Interior details stand up to close inspection, even down to the stitching in the seats and uniform action of panel covers. The effect is that nothing stands out, because the interior details have been executed at a uniformly high level.

Ride comfort is equivalent to what luxury car buyers should expect. Road vibration is minimal and there is little harsh impact or uncontrolled rebounds, even at high speeds. More impressive is the balance of ride quality, low noise and predictable, sure handling. This effect comes from a new, multi-link air-spring suspension, and an optional active power stabilizer package.


Because of a relatively short turning radius and electronic power steering, the LS 600h is surprisingly easy to maneuver and park. For those who are less than perfect at parallel parking, the Lexus Park Assist feature can be used to allow the car to park itself. Electronic steering also enables the LS 600h to optimize steering control according to vehicle speed, so drivers get both easy maneuvering at low speeds and firm control at high speeds.

The LS 600h has been designed with a full suite of advanced safety features. Many of these are enhancements to the brake and steering systems. As a group, they function to detect possible problems, enhance brake control, enable the car to avoid obstacles, and minimize severity of unavoidable collisions.

The LS 600h is a roomy, distinctive, limited-edition sedan with world-class safety and performance.

Model Lineup

The Lexus LS 600h ($104,000) comes with leather upholstery, automatic climate control, heated wood steering wheel, heated rear seats, Smart Card key, Park Assist, 16-way power driver seat, Gen-5 navigation system, Bluetooth with steering wheel controls, and charcoal-activated dust. All LS 600h models include Mark Levinson Audio, XM Satellite Radio, and the NavTraffic display with traffic navigation rerouting.

Upgrades are based upon a choice of three rear seat configurations, which include an executive Class Seating package that converts the interior into a four-seat configuration and includes a 45-degree reclining right rear seat with massage feature, infrared body-temperature sensors and 18-inch wheels.

An Active Power Stabilizer package enhances handling and includes 19-inch wheels.

A unique Launch Edition LS 600h were sold through the summer issue of the Neiman Marcus InCircle catalog. About 100 units came with a three-piece set of leather luggage custom-designed to fit into the trunk by an Italian leathersmith. The Launch Edition models include exclusive exterior paint, detailed interior seat trim in white leather, 19-inch wheels and distinctive badging.

Safety features include the latest integrated safety system from Lexus, called Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management. However, the Advanced Pre-Collision System is optional.
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Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Bugatti EB 16.4. Veyron “Pur Sang”

Bugatti EB 16.4. VeyronVisitors to the Atelier in Molsheim are always intrigued to see the Veyron’s high-tech components being meticulously assembled into an automotive work of art. Watching the car coming together, coupled with an admiration for the technical beauty of its structure, gave the designers the idea of finishing the car in its pure material configuration – meaning no colour coating.
The result is the EB 16.4. Veyron “Pur Sang”, a two-tone study of pure materialness showing the car’s true essentials: carbon and aluminium. The carbon monocoque holds the engine plus the passenger cell, while the polished aluminium panelling is enhanced by reflections in the sculpted bodywork.

Interestingly, the rawness of the materials even more strongly highlights the dual character of this car: performance power coupled with cruising comfort, structure and body, dark and light. A closer look at the details reveals the technical logic behind this stylistic appearance. The sophisticated monocoque contains all the core structural components, including the W16 engine, the passenger cell, the crash box and the linkages to the wheels. It is this purpose-driven fundament that is visible as the centre of the car in clear-coated carbon fibre.

Equally consistent is the use of the aluminium panelling. This lends shape and a unique body sculpture to the car, covering the wheels in a muscular and powerful expression by way of elaborately shaped fenders. Highly polished, these perfectly tensioned shapes strongly visualize the fascinating surface reflections that define every Veyron. The balanced graphic appearance is also visible when looking down onto the car from above. These qualities take on a distinct appearance – almost like that found in a Mondrian painting.


As its pur sang label suggests, this individualised customer car shares the same kind of DNA as that of classic cars from the Bugatti past: the “Atalante”, the Type 55, the Type 41 “Royal” all had an unmistakeable and characteristic graphic signature. It is this precise division of performance components and body panelling – in this form – that makes the EB 16.4. Veyron “Pur Sang” unique in the supercar world.

Farbio GTS

Farbio GTSDesigned to reflect speed and beauty with exquisite flowing lines, the Farbio GTS brings to reality the merger of a road car with a racing pedigree. The latest technological advances are encompassed with dynamic styling and superb road holding. Now in production at our factory near Bath, the stunning Sports Car has a full carbon fibre body, space framed chassis, complete flat underfloor (incorporating a rear diffuser), giving the GTS an exceptional aerodynamic grip level. It has an understated elegance combined with style, giving a truly refined sports car with outstanding performance.

GTS customers will be able to tour in comfort with the spacious, ergonomic interior, with fully adjustable Sparco reclining seats allowing for a 6’6” driver. The controls have an easy accessibility with the touch-screen featuring satellite navigation, air conditioning and sound system as standard. Long distance touring is made easier due to the 76 litre fuel tank and 220 litre boot capacity, which can incorporate a full size set of golf clubs or luggage.

Farbio Sports Cars has the benefit of an £11 million order book for the next three years with customers from the UK, USA, Scandinavia and Thailand. Our UK waiting list is currently 8 months at the time of going to press.

The route followed when developing the Farbio range was clearly defined: a powerful engine, high-tech space framed steel chassis and carbon fibre body, race inspired seating, racing brakes, advanced aerodynamics incorporating a flat underfloor with rear diffuser, all these ingredients combined with a beautifully styled body.

With the addition of an exceptionally spacious and refined interior, excellent all round visibility… you have the breathtaking Farbio GTS.

The normally aspirated Farbio GTS comprises of a bespoke induction and exhaust system and along with a specially mapped ECU, it can produce an impressive 262bhp. This combined with the lightweight full carbon fibre body shell delivers powerful acceleration. The Farbio GTS also incorporates a flat floor the full length of the car, joining the front splitter and rear diffuser, which provides exceptional downforce giving excellent handling qualities.

With the large fuel tank and lightweight carbon fibre body, touring is made simple and enjoyable.The boot volume is large enough to fit a standard set of golf clubs, or several pieces of luggage. There is also extra luggage space on the parcel shelf, secured with bespoke luggage straps. The Farbio GTS can accommodate a 6′6″ driver, into our fully adjustable Sparco seats.

The supercharged Farbio GTS comprises of a bespoke induction and exhaust system and along with a specially mapped ECU it can produce an exhilarating 384bhp. This combined with the lightweight full carbon fibre body shell delivers powerful acceleration. The Farbio GTS also incorporates a flat floor the full length of the car, joining the front splitter and rear diffuser, which provides exceptional downforce giving excellent handling qualities.

With the large fuel tank and lightweight carbon fibre body, touring is made simple and enjoyable. The boot volume is large enough to fit a standard set of golf clubs, or several pieces of luggage. There is also extra luggage space on the parcel shelf, secured with bespoke luggage straps.

The Farbio GTS can accommodate a 6′6″ driver, into our fully adjustable Sparco seats. The Supercharged version of the Farbio GTS combines all of the qualities of the normally aspirated car with a specially tuned bespoke version of the V6 engine and a Rotrex supercharger. The supercharged GTS has added cooling ducts, to accommodate twin intercoolers.