tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30748597521368244482024-03-20T20:21:15.475-04:00Dimmitt Automotive Group - News CenterDimmitt Automotive Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758879004208097287noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-11200402598873316492012-07-31T11:45:00.002-04:002012-07-31T11:45:42.017-04:00McLaren Special Operations - 2012 MP4-12C - Verde Ithica (Lime Green)Just arrived at McLaren Tampa Bay! This 2012 MP4-12C is outfitted in stunning
<b>Verde Ithica </b>(Lime Green), which is a McLaren Special Operations (MSO)
option. <br />
<br />
Additional MSO Options Include:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>MSO Roof - Gloss Black
</li>
<li>MSO Rear Deck - Gloss Black
</li>
<li>MSO Contrast Stitch on Seats - Lime Green
</li>
<li>MSO Contrast Stitch on Interior Areas - Lime Green
</li>
<li>MSO Vent and Instrument Cluster Bezels - Lime Green </li>
</ul>
For additional
information and questions, contact Rich Alfonso, McLaren Tampa Bay Brand Manager
at<b> (727) 824-8500</b> or email <b>ralfonso@dimmitt.com</b>!!!<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" class="attach" src="http://www.mclarenlife.com/forums/attachments/mclaren-projects-p12-p13/1242d1343748039-mclaren-special-operations-mp4-12c-verde-ithica-12c-verde-ithica-11.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" class="attach" src="http://www.mclarenlife.com/forums/attachments/mclaren-projects-p12-p13/1243d1343748039-mclaren-special-operations-mp4-12c-verde-ithica-12c-verde-ithica-12.jpg" />DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-12299146736952703432012-07-09T13:17:00.003-04:002012-07-09T14:02:10.552-04:002013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider Revealed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://pursuitist.com/wp-content/themes/dailyedition/thumb.php?src=http://pursuitist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2013_mclaren_mp4-12c-spider_f34_ns_703122_717.jpg&w=560&h=400&zc=1&q=90" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://pursuitist.com/wp-content/themes/dailyedition/thumb.php?src=http://pursuitist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2013_mclaren_mp4-12c-spider_f34_ns_703122_717.jpg&w=560&h=400&zc=1&q=90" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
McLaren Automotive
is expanding its lineup with the addition of its second model, the new
2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider, which is ready for order and starts
delivery in November.
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The convertible supercar comes just one year after the launch of the hard-top MP4-12C and gets all the latest features introduced with the 2013 update.<br />
<br />
This means that peak output from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 is a healthy 616 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque.<br />
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McLaren calls the car’s roof system the ‘Retractable Hard Top’ and has
designed it so that it can be operated at speeds of up to 19 mph.
Raising or lowering the roof takes just 17 seconds and top speed remains
an impressive 204 mph--just 3 mph shy of the hard-top’s peak.<br />
<br />
Thanks to the MP4-12C’s carbon fiber ‘MonoCell’ chassis, no additional
strengthening was required for the MP4-12C Spider. The result is a
sports car almost identical to its fixed roof equivalent in performance
terms, and weighing only 88 pounds more with the addition of a
convertible roof system. Overall weight with all fluids on board comes
in at around 3,200 pounds.<br />
<br />
Behind the driver and passenger sits a rear windscreen which may also be
electronically lowered and raised. With the roof lowered this acts as
wind deflector, and with the roof raised the rear window can still be
lowered, allowing the engine’s sweet exhaust note to roar into the
cabin.<br />
<br />
With the roof raised there is around 1.8 cubic feet of storage behind
the cabin. Bespoke luggage has been designed specifically to fit this
space and is supplied as standard with the car. A rollover protection
system is also fitted, with each of those tall buttresses containing a
steel structure designed to absorb impact energy and protect occupants.<br />
<br />
As mentioned, the 2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider is ready for order and
should commence deliveries in November. In the mealtime, head over to
the McLaren website and play around with <a data-xslt="_http" href="http://www.mclarenautomotive.com/uk/p11/configurator/default.aspx#/configurator">the new configurator</a>.<br />
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<br />DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-63444188720579022852012-07-09T10:28:00.000-04:002012-07-09T10:29:34.532-04:002013 Rolls-Royce Phantom II - Taking Orders Now<div class="firstPar">
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<br />
Notes for the Rolls-Royce chauffeur: this is a big and heavy car, so your
employer will require you to be gentle with the controls, particularly the
steering, brakes and accelerator. Ensure the correct attire and a mannered
demeanour at all times and remember, this is about your passengers, not
about you.<br />
</div>
<div class="secondPar">
These requirements haven’t been completely attainable in the last decade’s
worth of 7,000 Rolls-Royce Phantoms, however. Delectable piece of kit it
might be, but the Phantom’s six-speed ZF gearbox, although state-of-the-art
at the launch, occasionally found itself lost for an appropriate gear.<br />
</div>
<div class="thirdPar">
And while Rolls-Royce never talks about its customers by name (you get the
feeling that this car is a lot classier than the people who buy it), it’s a
comforting thought that even plutocrats, dictators, game-show barons,
crowned heads and oil sheikhs have to wait in line just like the rest of us.
For Bentley got its order in first for the new ZF eight-speed automatic
transmission and Rolls-Royce came second – and we understand that Aston
Martin’s replacement DBS is third.<br />
</div>
<div class="fourthPar">
So this Mark II Phantom, on sale now for delivery in September, is really a
change of transmission, but as well as the eight-speeder it also gets a new
beefed-up differential to replace the BMW 7-series unit, which was wearing
noisily in high-mileage Phantoms. While the Phantom Coupé and Drophead Coupé
also benefit from the transmission swap, the saloon gets some additional
strengthening to the aluminium spaceframe chassis.<br />
</div>
<div class="fifthPar">
To make this revamp worthy of the name, there are new electronics, with a
spiffy new satnav system complete with a massive 8.8in screen and a
360-degree camera system to help guide this huge barge into the chief
executive’s parking spot. Did I mention the Harman Kardon stereo? Well, it’s
loud. There are a few cabin changes to incorporate the big screen and sadly
the old centre layout, which was as charming as an old radiogram, has been
swapped for arriviste chromium switches which store memory functions.<br />
<br />
The coachwork has received a lot of very subtle changes, which soften the
lines without drastically altering the overall appearance. “Our customers
don’t want a new car coming to market too often,” said Richard Carter,
Rolls-Royce’s communications director. Or rather, after stumping up more
than a third of a million pounds, they don’t want their cars looking out of
date when the Mark II version is launched.<br />
<br />
Well, if you stood both cars side by side, you’d know there was a difference
(mainly because of the new rectangular LED headlamps), but only just.
Creases are softer, there’s a combined badge/indicator repeater, a new rear
bumper and chromium around the rear window, but none of it shouts
“new model”.<br />
<br />
Inside, the rear cabin is largely untouched. It’s best enjoyed without the
myriad toys that are available, when the simple space and carefully planned
window lines allow a perfect view out while retaining a sense of privacy. In
the front, the old Phantom bugbears remain, with an adjustable steering
wheel that remains slightly out of reach and a centre boss that obscures the
gear selector quadrant so it’s impossible to know which gear you’ve
selected.<br />
<br />
The push-button starter sits in a panel designed to recall the old Lucas
charging display. Push it and BMW’s 6.75-litre V12 purrs into life. A rev
counter would be useful as the engine’s so quiet you barely notice it
turning over.<br />
<br />
First impressions are of near-silent, effortless torque, or “waftability”, as
Rolls-Royce excruciatingly puts it. At slow speeds you don’t hear much of
anything, just a bit of a whirr from the tyres and a wind-in-the-pipes moan
from the engine when you pull away. Stand on it, however, and you’ll get a
tiny delay in response and not quite the silver-teapot-full of performance,
because the Rolls has to limit torque on getaway to protect the
anti-friction coatings on the gears in the new transmission. Similarly, the
software is distinctly indecisive at times, which we are told is being
addressed already with rewritten software. <br />
<br />
The rest of the drive experience is pretty much as it always was, with such an
uncanny ride quality that you would barely notice running over a member of
the proletariat. There’s lots of body roll, but it’s well controlled and
while the steering’s slow, it’s also delightfully accurate. True, in tight
corners, you have to pile on lock like coal on a locomotive, but the Phantom
always draws short of feeling like a runaway train. And never let anyone
tell you this car can’t be driven fast; it can, but in those leather
armchairs you lean into the corner like a dinghy sailor. Fortunately the
massive brakes will survive a lot of abuse.<br />
<br />
In the end the Phantom is just such a damn good-looking car and so beautifully
made, it gets away with stuff that would be unacceptable on any other car.
And it now has the quantity, if not quite yet the quality, of gears to keep
the title of the finest car in the world.
</div>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-64747724084730191282012-07-06T15:40:00.001-04:002012-07-06T15:40:57.447-04:00McLaren's DNA - No Compromise - Attractive Lease Offer<table align="center" bgcolor="101010" border="0" cellpadding="10" style="width: 648px;">
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<td><img src="http://sitespecific.dealerskins.com/DimmitMotorCarCollection/medialibrary/JULY-2012-NO1.jpg" /><br />
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<center><img alt="McLaren's DNA - No Compromise" src="http://sitespecific.dealerskins.com/DimmitMotorCarCollection/medialibrary/JULY-2012-NO.png" /></center></td>
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<tr style="color: white;">
<td align="justify" valign="top"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">McLaren’s vision for the MP4-12C was to make a sports car that was lightweight and strong. Fast and efficient. Comfortable and
exhilarating. At McLaren Tampa Bay, our unswerving commitment to excellence and innovation underpins everything we do: from the
initial demonstration, to the ownership experience we offer with McLaren’s new road car, the MP4-12C. We are proud to have joined
the McLaren team as your retailer. If you spend a little time with us, we will explain how we plan to exceed your expectations, and how
our approach to ownership is as innovative as the car we are proud to promote.</span>
<center><img src="http://sitespecific.dealerskins.com/DimmitMotorCarCollection/medialibrary/JULY-2012-NO2.png" /><br />
<a href="mailto:ralfonso@dimmitt.com" target="blank">EMAIL RICHARD ALFONSO</a><br />
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr style="color: white;">
<td align="justify"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px;">*With approved credit from McLaren Financial. Payment includes all costs to be paid by consumer except license, tax, registration & doc fees. 2013 McLaren MP4-12C. Stock # CW001184. MSRP $269,900; Residual $130,000. $3,495 per month plus tax. Closed end lease to qualified buyers. Sign and drive. Lease for 60 months, includes 2,500 miles per year. Lessee responsible for excess wear, tear and mileage. No dealers or dealers agents. Residency restrictions apply. Sale ends and all deals must be delivered and paid in full by 7/31/2012. </span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-81395717701014784682012-06-28T09:46:00.000-04:002012-06-28T09:46:34.352-04:00Car & Driver Tested: McLaren MP4-12C 1000-mile Road TripCan a supercar be comfortable? Car & Driver's editor Jared Gall sets out on an OCD-infused, 1000-mile road trip from Colorado to the Hoover Dam to find out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.automobilesreview.com/uploads/2011/12/2012-Cadillac-CTS-Touring-Edition-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://www.automobilesreview.com/uploads/2011/12/2012-Cadillac-CTS-Touring-Edition-medium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
LOS ANGELES, June 27, 2012 - Total Car Score (www.totalcarscore.com), the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison website, announced today the 10 Best American Cars for 2012. This year's top spot goes to the 2012 Cadillac CTS luxury sedan.<br />
<br />
As the nation prepares to mark Independence Day, Total Car Score's list of the 10 Best American Cars reflects the strength and quality of the domestic auto industry. The rankings represent nearly every category of car, including luxury sedans and SUVs as well as crossovers and large wagons.<br />
<br />
Karl Brauer, editor in chief and CEO of Total Car Score, and a veteran industry observer, commented on the rankings:<br />
<br />
"The Detroit Big 3 have quickly rebounded to produce some of the highest rated cars on the market, and America clearly hasn't lost its grip on the large SUV or high-performance sedan segments. All three manufacturers made the Top 10 list with at least one 'tuner' version of their mainstream sedans, confirming Detroit muscle is alive and well.<br />
<br />
"Kudos to Cadillac for earning the top spot with its CTS luxury sedan, the Top Scoring domestic model on the market. General Motors also captured six of the Top 10 spots with hits from Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and a total of three Cadillac models. Ford's Taurus SHO and Flex represent the Blue Oval's best, while two versions of Chrysler's venerable 300 sedan confirm its continued appeal."<br />
<br />
"It's worth noting that while no compact domestic models made the list, Ford's 2012 Focus was less than half a point behind the 300 SRT8," Brauer added. "With a growing emphasis on small cars and high fuel efficiency, it's likely we'll see a domestic economy car in next year's Top 10 Best American Cars list."<br />
<br />
Total Car Score allows car buyers and enthusiasts alike to compare vehicles quickly and easily across all automotive segments. The "Total Car Score" is one comprehensive number assigned to a vehicle that represents an overall industry assessment from major automotive authorities. All vehicles are model year 2012 with at least five source ratings that comprise the Total Car Score.<br />
<br />
In a nod to the red white and blue, here are the 10 Best American Cars from Total Car Score.<br />
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<br />
TotalCarScore.com evaluates and ranks cars according to an aggregate score based on the most trusted automotive authorities available. The site also features original content, reviews and insights from a veteran automotive journalism and data team. For more information, please go to www.totalcarscore.com.
SOURCE Total Car Score
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/27/4592234/total-car-score-names-the-top.html#storylink=cpyDIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-44698539415541225812012-06-22T09:30:00.000-04:002012-07-09T09:30:55.512-04:00Land Rover Introduces The Updated 2013 Range Rover Sport<div class="news-meta-information">
June 22, 2012</div>
<div class="news-meta-information">
<br /></div>
<b>- Supercharged Limited Edition & GT Limited Edition available in limited numbers <br />- Red Brembo™ brake calipers for Supercharged models<br />- Striking new alloy wheel design<br />- Wider choice of interior color combinations<br />- Towing package introduced as an option</b><br />
<br />
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For
2013, the Range Rover Sport continues as the definitive Sports SUV with
new colors and a greater choice of interior trim and alloy wheel
designs.<br />
<br />
To complement the exterior design changes refreshed for
the 2012 model year - in 2013 a striking new five-spoke cast alloy wheel
design in Sparkle Silver becomes standard on the Range Rover Sport
Supercharged. Customers opting for the Supercharged model will discover
stunning red Brembo™ brake calipers fitted as standard with the option
of reverting back to black high performance brakes at no additional
cost.<br />
<br />
The interior specifications offer two new interior trim
combinations allowing customers to choose a dark upper cabin environment
with lighter colored seats or the opposite way round. A towing package
has also been introduced as an option across all models and consists of a
tow hitch receiver, trailer towing electrics and variable rear
differential lock.<br />
<br />
The Range Rover Sport comes equipped with a
high level of audio equipment, as introduced at 2012 model year. The
Harmon Kardon™ system delivers 380W of sound from a total of 11 speakers
while the premium Harmon Kardon LOGIC7 system produces an astonishing
825W from no less than 17 speakers. Advanced features include a hard
disc drive music server and Land Rover’s “Say What You See” voice
recognition system with screen prompts.<br />
<br />
An outstanding Range
Rover Sport engine line-up remains unchanged for 2013. The naturally
aspirated 5.0-liter produces 375HP with 375lb-ft torque and the flagship
5.0-liter Supercharged, a stunning 510HP with 461lb-ft torque. All
engines drive through ZF automatic gearboxes.<br />
<br />
<b>2013 Range Rover Sport Supercharged Limited Edition </b><br />
The
2013 Range Rover Sport Supercharged Limited Edition provides drivers
with a combination of luxurious interior appointments and sporting
exterior design changes. With 510 horsepower at the ready, the
Supercharged Range Rover Sport has extraordinary performance
capabilities.<br /> <br />In addition to the standard supercharged features,
many enhancements are finished in red including a “Sport” badge on the
rear tailgate, side vent feature and front and rear brake calipers, as
well as an embroidered red 'Sport' logo appears on the carpet mats. New
carbon veneer trim, adds a sharp, contemporary look to the interior.<br />
<br />
For the U.S. market there are only 300 units being produced in Santorini Black, and only 200 units in Fuji White. <br /><b><br />2013 Range Rover Sport GT Limited Edition </b><br />
The
2013 Range Rover Sport GT Limited Edition offers luxury interior and
distinctive exterior design details, together with other popular
equipment that provides a more differentiated expression of the HSE
specification vehicle.<br />
<br />
Among other features, the GT Limited
Edition includes an extended rear roof spoiler, unique rear chrome
exhaust treatments, 20” black five spoke alloy wheels, steering wheel
mounted shift paddles, and the premium LOGIC7 audio system with SAT and
HD radio.<br /> <br />A limited number of 450 will be built in Santorini Black, with an additional 300 units being produced in Fuji White.DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-66795526421041696652012-06-09T11:07:00.000-04:002012-06-15T11:14:14.921-04:00Dimmitt Automotive Group Launches McLaren MP4-12C In Atlanta, GAWe thank everyone in Atlanta for extending Dimmitt Automotive Group & McLaren Tampa Bay such a warm welcome. We thank those who took the time to join us as we launched the new McLaren MP4-12C, it is our hope that all enjoyed the evening.
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</center>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.387982433.6433744 -84.5459109 33.8546164 -84.2300539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-32661732678564547662012-06-05T11:12:00.000-04:002012-06-06T11:14:02.104-04:00McLaren Updating MP4-12C for 2013 with Power Bump, Other Upgrades<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">June 5 2012 by Alexander Stoklosa - Car & Driver</span></i><br />
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McLaren’s mid-engined MP4-12C sports car just went on sale this past year, but several updates are headed its way for 2013. We don’t have too many complaints about the MP4-12C in its current form—we gave it the nod in a comparison test against the Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche 911 GT2 RS—but McLaren apparently felt it necessary to tweak the car and give it a power bump for 2013.<br /><br />The most significant update, at least to us, is an additional 25 hp for the MP4-12C’s twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V-8. The power increase will come by way of an engine-computer update, bringing the power total to 618 hp. McLaren also is modifying the car’s transmission programming and adding software to allow drivers to alter the level of engine noise entering the cabin. The current MP4-12C has a valved sound tube that pipes intake noise into the cabin at different levels, depending on which driving mode is selected. Now, McLaren owners will be able to adjust the valve independently of the driving mode. Full loud? Yes, please.<br /><br />Among the less sexy—but still useful—updates is the addition of Bluetooth and navigation functionality for the MP4-12C’s touch-screen–based infotainment system. (The 2012 car had the hardware to support both nav and Bluetooth, but the software wasn’t ready until now.) McLaren also is adding an optional suspension lift mode, which can raise both the front and rear of the car at low speeds. This should prove useful to customers who occasionally are confronted by a steep driveway or rough road. Finally, the MP4-12C’s radio antenna was tweaked for enhanced reception.<br />
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The best part is that, aside from the upcoming model’s optional suspension lift functionality, McLaren will retrofit all of these upgrades to current customers’ cars at no charge. This is especially remarkable in light of the price increase that will be levied upon the 2013 MP4-12C. (McLaren will announce more specific pricing information later.) The new 2013 model goes on sale in September, and McLaren will begin retrofitting existing cars with the upgrades in October.DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-40567794400120272992012-06-05T11:10:00.000-04:002012-06-06T11:10:23.805-04:00Buy 592, Get 25 Free: McLaren Updates 2012 MP4-12C with More Power And Features<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Written by Ben Timmins - June 5 2012 - Automobile Magazine</i></span></div>
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McLaren’s attitude towards the 2012 MP4-12C during press testing was remarkable in that the company was simultaneously introducing the car to the world and making subtle, important tweaks to the car. In the last few weeks of testing it made the shift paddle action lighter, tweaked the airbox to provide more aural drama, increased steering feel, and sharpened throttle response. Now, it’s adding another round of tweaks to the technological powerhouse.<br /><br />McLaren says that the 2013 MP4-12C, which bows in September, will have some basic changes to hardware and software. While all 2012 MP4-12Cs had the hardware on board to support both Bluetooth connectivity and GPS navigation, the infotainment system–dubbed IRIS–didn’t have the software to support it. For 2013 all MP4-12Cs will get the requisite software, unlocking these features. 2013 models will also get an extra radio antenna, door release push buttons, and improvements to the Meridian surround sound system.<br /><br />Most importantly, McLaren engineers tinkered with the engine and transmission programming. The result is a power increase of 25 horsepower, and what McLaren says is improved responsiveness in all situations and across the rev range. Add that to the car’s already stout power figure of 592 horsepower and you get a total of 617 horses. To put that in perspective, that’s 55 more than the MP4′s chief rival, the 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia. Even better, it’s 5 more horsepower than the original Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano.<br /><br />What McLaren did with these improvements is a little unconventional, however: it promised the full complement of engine and infotainment software upgrades to 2012 MP4-12C owners at no charge. That software will be available for current owners some time after September, although McLaren also said that cars that are on order and on the line in Woking may already be receiving the upgrades.<br /><br />At $229,000, the MP4-12C might not be a steal, but this deal does strike us as a good value. We think existing MP4-12C owners–who will be a little less lost and a little bit quicker–should feel the same way.</div>
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<a href="http://www.dimmitt.com/contact-us" target="_blank">CONTACT MCLAREN TAMPA BAY</a></div>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-88773917262458277362012-05-20T07:00:00.000-04:002012-06-15T13:10:26.460-04:002nd Annual Race DayOur guests, for the 2nd year in a row, had the opportunity to take their cars on the race track during our <b>2nd Annual Race Day Event</b> at Anderson Race Park in Palmetto, FL.
A terrific time was had by all! This especially was a thrill to see the all new McLaren MP4-12C on the track for the first time! Guests brought out their Aston Martins, Lotus, Cadillac, McLaren, and even a couple Ferraris mixed in.
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</tbody></table>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0Palmetto, FL, USA27.5214269 -82.572319327.4932634 -82.61180130000001 27.549590400000003 -82.5328373tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-50991350676069992662012-05-15T10:17:00.000-04:002012-06-04T10:26:53.630-04:002013 Cadillac XTS Launch Event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On May 15th, 2012, Dimmitt Cadillac was pleased to invite our VIP clients and guests to the launch event of the year. The 2013 Cadillac XTS graced the floor as Cadillac product specialists gave in-depth walk-arounds and demonstrations of the car, and it's amazing new technology.<br />
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Guests enjoyed refreshments, hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment provided by saxophonist Fernando Silva.<br />
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<i>(click on photos to enlarge)</i></div>
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</center>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-65509327829303404122012-05-11T13:28:00.000-04:002012-05-11T13:28:07.281-04:00McLaren Celebrates The 40th Anniversary of Its First Win At the Indianapolis 500<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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NEW YORK (MAY 10, 2012) On May 27, 1972, McLaren claimed its first victory at the ‘famed’ Indianapolis 500 with Mark Donohue behind the wheel of the number 66 Sunoco-Penske. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its first win at Indianapolis, McLaren will participate in the second annual Celebration of Automobiles on May 12, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield. <br />With support from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, the display will feature the 1972 winning Indy car, McLaren M16B. The dichotomy of old and new and constant innovation will be illustrated with examples of the 2012 McLaren 12C and rolling chassis. <br />
<br />“McLaren has a long and rich history in racing, especially in North America,” explained Tony Joseph, Director, McLaren Automotive, Inc. “We couldn’t be more proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of McLaren’s first win at Indy within the same year we launch McLaren Automotive, our own dealer network and our first model, the MP4-12C. <br /><br />“The McLaren M16B was designed by Gordon Coppuck and had innovative and front and rear wing design for its time. Even looking back 40 years ago, it offers great examples of McLaren’s ongoing strive for technological innovation and to be the best in everything it does,” said Joseph. <br /><br />Featuring an Offenhauser 4-cylinder turbo engine, 700-750 bhp, and a Hewland LG 500 4-speed transmission, team owner Roger Penske ran two cars – one for Donohue and the other for Gary Bettenhausen. In the end, Donohue led the last 13 laps of the race and earned his place in history as well as Penske’s first victory at the 500. <br /><br />McLaren went on that year to become the only team in history to ever win at Indianapolis, in Formula 1 and 2 and in Can-Am in the same year. In addition, McLaren saw the checkered flag two more times at the Indianapolis 500 in 1974 and 1976 with driver Johnny Rutherford.<br /><br />“Following three years of its legendary domination of the Can-Am series, it was of little surprise when Team McLaren's 1970 debut at Indianapolis began with the track opening for practice on May 1 and all three team cars promptly going out, nose-to-tail in a stunning show of readiness,” said Donald Davidson, Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian. “They didn't win that year, but with a markedly different design in 1971, Peter Revson sat on the pole and finished second. With a Penske-entered McLaren winning in 1972 with Mark Donohue; McLaren's own Johnny Rutherford capturing two poles and two races between 1973 and 1976, and Penske's Tom Sneva coming along in 1977 to turn the Speedway's first ever 200 mph lap, it seemed like EVERYBODY had to have a McLaren.”<br />DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-80398520813972150982012-05-04T20:31:00.000-04:002012-05-07T15:22:36.239-04:00McLaren MP4-12C MSO (McLaren Special Operations)Sleek? Stunning? Stealth? We can't find the word for it either.<br />
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This one-of-a-kind 2012 McLaren MP4-12C, outfitted in Carbon Black with McLaren Orange accents is truly a sight to be seen. Ordered by our expert staff here at McLaren Tampa Bay, this one dresses to impress.<br />
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<b>SPECIFICATIONS:</b><br />
Exterior Special Paint - Carbon Black<br />
Carbon Fiber Splitter<br />
Carbon Fiber Exterior Mirror Casings<br />
Sport Exhaust<br />
Stealth Pack<br />
Cast Iron Brakes - McLaren Orange Calipers<br />
Leather Sport Interior<br />
Carbon Fiber Interior Upgrade<br />
Carbon Fiber Sill Panels<br />
Premium Meridian Surround Sound Package<br />
McLaren Branded Floor Mat Set<br />
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<b>ADDITIONAL BY McLAREN SPECIAL OPERATIONS (MSO):</b><br />
MSO Wheel Finish - Diamond Cut<br />
MSO Steering Wheel - Carbon Fibre<br />
MSO Carbon Pack consisting of:<br />
- Carbon Fiber Engine Cover Vents<br />
- Carbon Fiber Rear Deck Vent<br />
- Wiper System Cover - Carbon Fiber<br />
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Contact RICH ALFONSO at (727) 824-8500 or email ralfonso@dimmitt.com for additional information.DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-5360019136174106472012-03-21T15:57:00.000-04:002012-03-21T15:57:06.903-04:00The 2013 Cadillac XTS shows off at the PGA Cadillac Championship<span class="submitted">By Patrick Rall</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.torquenews.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/300_size/image-106/%5Btitle-raw%5D/2013%20cadillac%20xts%20golf%20shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.torquenews.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/300_size/image-106/%5Btitle-raw%5D/2013%20cadillac%20xts%20golf%20shot.jpg" /></a></div><span class="submitted"></span>The 2013 Cadillac XTS will serve as the flagship General Motors luxury sedan, effectively replacing the DTS and STS and to show the cargo carrying capabilities of the new full sized sedan, the company announced that the new XTS can hold four full sized golf bags and four adults in the pinnacle of American luxury.<br />
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When the folks at General Motors were designing the new Cadillac XTS, they studied the wants and needs of luxury sedan buyers and the common key was cargo space.<br />
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“We used computer simulations to model golf bags, as well as other common types of goods our customers are likely to transport,” said XTS chief engineer Sheri Hickok. “That also includes cases of bottled water, luggage, groceries and more. Just as we did with the rest of the XTS, we spent a lot of time maximizing every inch of storage space.”<br />
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The Cadillac engineers found that golf clubs were a common fixture among luxury car owners and since golf is often played in fours – GM made sure that a foursome could ride in style to the golf course with their golf clubs tucked away in the trunk. Many luxury sedans will fit four adults comfortably or fit four golf bags with the seats folded down but using the interior compartment for additional cargo space obviously cuts down on the number of adults who can be seated in the car. The XTS combines 40 inches of rear leg room with a whopping 18 cubic feet of trunk space – more room for golf bags than you will find in the Audi A8L (long wheelbase), the BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes Benz S-Class according to GM.<br />
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“Our owners want to comfortably take four adults out for a round of golf and dinner afterwards,” said Hickok. “The challenge was to give customers what they expect in terms of interior spaciousness, comfort and luxury, but to do so without compromising exterior looks and handling dynamics.”<br />
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To show off how easily the 2013 Cadillac XTS would accommodate 4 large golf bags in the trunk, GM took a new XTS to the Cadillac Championship golf tournament this past weekend at Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami, Florida. The good people at Callaway Golf provided four flashy new bags and sets of clubs while Doral golf sales manager Ryan Hershberger loaded them in without any need to force or wedge them into the trunk. “For a sedan, the room was really impressive,” Hershberger said. “It’s really convenient to fit four sets of clubs like that with no force or wedging necessary.”<br />
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It is no secret that luxury cars are a mainstay in the parking lot of golf courses around the United States so it could serve as a great marketing tool to show golfers that the new 2013 Cadillac XTS will fit three friends and their golf bags when a new buyer wants to take his buddies out for a round of golf.<br />
Check out the video below, showing the simplicity of unloading 4 golf bags into the new Cadillac XTS!<br />
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<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="270" id="flashObj" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1496526694001&playerID=1055201185001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAA9K3O_eE~,BF-rjVZt6dxWMzhYS_d0aK6IljUB_vgT&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1496526694001&playerID=1055201185001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAA9K3O_eE~,BF-rjVZt6dxWMzhYS_d0aK6IljUB_vgT&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="480" height="270" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-1824668693787152202012-03-20T15:04:00.001-04:002012-03-20T15:10:32.673-04:00One for the Road: Could This be the Perfect Supercar?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.motortrend.com/f/35949884+w786+ar1/2012-McLaren-MP4-12C-front-doors-open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/35949884+w786+ar1/2012-McLaren-MP4-12C-front-doors-open.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Decades ago, it was easy to tell what a sports car was and what it wasn't. A sports car only had two seats, was commonly noisy and uncomfortable to drive, often had a poorly designed fabric roof that folded down much easier than it came back up, and was seldom as reliable, watertight, or economical to run as a more practical four-seat vehicle. If you bought one, your significant other wouldn't want to ride in it, your friends would think you nuts, and your parents would stay awake at night wondering how they had failed so badly. But all that changed with the Japanese Invasion in the 1970s, and small coupes like the Datsun 240Z and Mazda RX-7 showed the world that fun doesn't have to be foolish. The new breed was as practical and reliable as it was quick and fun to drive, and it forced the industry and enthusiasts to rethink the definition of a sports car.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.motortrend.com/f/37187311+w786+ar1/2012-McLaren-MP4-12C-gauge-cluster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/37187311+w786+ar1/2012-McLaren-MP4-12C-gauge-cluster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It wasn't really until the 1990s and the introduction of the Acura NSX that the supercar was put on the same path. The NSX was proof that a fast, exotic performance car could be driven as an everyday car. Still, while rivals from Europe began to make supercars with far fewer compromises than before, they still weren't what you'd call suitable daily drivers. Sure, things have gotten better since the wedge-shaped '70s: New paddle-shift gearboxes allow a grandmother to drive a Lamborghini to her hair appointment without burning through a clutch or spraining her left leg, and rear back-up cameras mean she won't have to open the scissor door and sit on the sill in order to park the damn car.<br />
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But even though you could conceivably drive a modern supercar daily, there were a whole slew of reasons why you wouldn't want to. More often than not, your average supercar is still a noisy, uncomfortable, clunky device that's difficult-to-impossible to see out of and a bear to coax through rush hour traffic. For all the new user-friendliness, the supercar was still destined to be a weekend plaything, brought out only in the finest of weather on the rarest of occasions.<br />
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Then last year, the Ferrari 458 came along and showed that not only could you drive a Ferrari every day, but you'd actually want to. And now this: the 2013 McLaren MP4-12C. While McLaren's previous road-going supercar, appropriately named the F1, was a three-seat rocket ship that placed maximum performance at the forefront, Woking engineers say this new car is perfectly suitable for your daily commute, shopping, and excursions. Should you want to have a bit of fun, it will also reportedly reach over 200 mph. So there's that, too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.motortrend.com/f/37187302+w786+ar1/2012-McLaren-MP4-12C-badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/37187302+w786+ar1/2012-McLaren-MP4-12C-badge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A large part of the McLaren's adaptability comes with its advanced and fairly unique suspension design (see illustration for more). By utilizing electronic dampers and a special hydraulic roll control system that acts as a virtual anti-roll bar, the car can be set up to provide either a very compliant ride -- one of the most compliant we've experienced in any type of car -- or a very firm one, all while keeping body roll virtually nonexistent.<br />
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In reality, the McLaren is actually a very usable car with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality. It genuinely feels as happy eating up the miles and soaking up the expansion joints on the freeway to a Chopin sonata as it is hammering down your favorite back road, flames licking at the exhaust tips (yes, it shoots flames!), and making sounds so akin to a real race car's that you'd swear what you're driving can't be street legal. The McLaren pops and snarls when driven hard, and letting off the throttle abruptly brings a chirp from the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8's wastegates, just like you hear when watching in-car camera footage from a WRC rally. The wheel-mounted paddle shifters require a firm tug that increases the involvement level, and the steering weight is near perfect, with very good accuracy. Switch the stability control and vehicle dynamics to the Sport setting and the McLaren is all the road car you could ever want. The computers allow for a touch of oversteer when powering out of turns, but quickly (and unobtrusively) step in when confidence outweighs reality. In Track mode with ESC off, the car is more of a handful, eagerly pushing its tail wide and allowing for some playful drifts.<br />
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It's also enormously capable. We brought the carbon fiber-tubbed MP4-12C out to our test location and, with the help of launch control, immediately zipped off a 3.2-second 0-60-mph run and a quarter-mile time of just 11.1 seconds at an astonishing trap speed of 129.4 mph. That's seriously quick, even for a rear-drive, 3200-pound car with 592 hp and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. What's more, the McLaren's EPA fuel economy rating of 15/24 mpg city/highway means it avoids the gas-guzzler tax -- something that can't be said for even our long-term Cadillac CTS-V wagon and its 14/19-mpg rating.<br />
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Around our figure-eight course -- designed to reflect overall performance of acceleration, braking, lateral grip, and transitional behavior -- we got a time of 23.2 seconds at a 0.91g average, enough to beat both Ferrari 458 Italias we've tested and tie for time with the ballistic, 620-hp Porsche 911 GT2 RS. What's more, we ran the test with the McLaren's stability control system on and off and achieved the same result, though more consistently with ESC on. In our braking test, while the McLaren and its clever air brake (which activates when braking hard from 60 mph or higher) were able to stop in a respectable 106 feet from 60 mph, we found pedal feel a little lacking.<br />
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The real party trick comes when it's time to drive back home. A push of a button returns the vehicle settings to Normal mode, and the car will loaf along the freeway at over 70 mph, humming along at under 2000 rpm in seventh gear. With the gearbox in automatic mode, shifts are so smooth as to be virtually imperceptible and the ride is all-day comfortable. Only a bit of exhaust drone hinders the vehicle as a long-hauler, but even that can be classified as only a minor irritation. Luggage space isn't huge, but a rear shelf behind the seats and a small, yet deep, front trunk accommodate a weekend's worth of duffle bags for two people.<br />
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So the McLaren is a good performance car and even a good touring car. But is it a good supercar? Is the world ready to accept a daily drivable $231,400, mid-engine road racer? Aren't outrageous features and ergonomics part of the supercar experience? Fortunately, the McLaren still has a few niggles in its design to ease the minds of those who think supercars may have gotten a bit too cuddly.<br />
<br />
For example, while McLaren claims that the outward and upward-opening door design eases entry and exit, it does nothing of the sort. The MP4-12C isn't the most difficult car to get in and out of, but it's far from the easiest; graceless exits in front of swanky restaurants are virtually a given. Opening the door at all from the outside is also an issue. There's no physical door handle, only a touch sensor mounted underneath the top edge of the side vent, near the door's trailing edge. About half the time, we were able to open the door with no trouble at all, but the other occasions left us sweeping our fingers across the touch sensor time and again with no effect. Fortunately, McLaren engineers have seen fit to allow a long press of the key fob's unlock button to pop the driver's side door remotely. The touch-screen nav/audio interface suffers similar trouble, recognizing inputs with a much lower success rate than we're used to.<br />
<br />
Overall, the McLaren accomplishes what it sets out to do, namely providing an incredible driving experience while increasing usability. Could you drive the MP4-12C daily? You sure could. Would you want to? We would, gladly. But is the McLaren capable of outshining its obvious Ferrari 458 rival? That question hasn't escaped us, so stay tuned for a future showdown.DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-86375266795584074962012-03-12T14:40:00.000-04:002012-03-12T14:40:26.961-04:00Volkswagen Shows Off SUV Concept for Bentley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-SB512_bentle_G_20120305144657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-SB512_bentle_G_20120305144657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>GENEVA—Volkswagen AG <span data-ticker-name="VOW.XE" data-widget="dj.ticker"></span> is showcasing what could be the world's most expensive sport-utility vehicle when its Bentley brand lifts the veil on a new concept car at the Geneva International Motor Show this week as part of the auto maker's drive to expand the appeal of its super-luxury marque.<br />
"We're absolutely convinced of the [market] potential for a luxurious high-performance SUV," Bentley Chief Executive Wolfgang Dürheimer said Monday.<br />
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Final approval for the SUV, currently called the EXP 9F, from Bentley's German parent is still pending. But initial feedback from Volkswagen Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn has been encouraging, Mr. Dürheimer said. Annual sales volume is expected to be roughly between 3,500 and 5,000 vehicles.<br />
The concept car features a large 12-cylinder engine, which delivers 610 horsepower, and a high-seating position similar to Tata Motors Co.'s <span data-ticker-name="TTM" data-widget="dj.ticker"></span> luxury Range Rover brand, which would be one of the Bentley vehicle's main potential rivals. The Bentley SUV would sell for a higher price than any other SUV currently available, Mr. Dürheimer said.<br />
Demand for luxury SUVs is booming world-wide, defying concerns that rising fuel prices and environmental concerns would crimp demand in a lucrative segment for top manufacturers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MK-BS696_BENTLY_G_20120305175950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/MK-BS696_BENTLY_G_20120305175950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Mr. Dürheimer said that adding the SUV to the brand's lineup would also help to balance Bentley's financial performance as the product life cycles of its Continental and Mulsanne models largely overlap. <br />
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<cite></cite><div class="targetCaption">Bentley's concept for a sport-utility vehicle, pictured in Geneva Monday, would have a 12-cylinder engine.</div></div></div></div>The car would be based on technology Volkswagen uses for other luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and the Cayenne of VW affiliate Porsche Automobil Holding SE.<br />
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Volkswagen, Europe's biggest auto manufacturer and the world's No. 2 after General Motors Co., <span data-ticker-name="GM" data-widget="dj.ticker"></span> bought Bentley in 1998 from Vickers PLC after a complex bidding war with BMW<span data-ticker-name="BMW.XE" data-widget="dj.ticker"></span> AG. Bentley was spun off from Rolls-Royce Motors, with the Rolls-Royce automotive brand ending up part of BMW.DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-77963844520664075722012-03-05T10:52:00.000-05:002012-03-05T10:52:23.312-05:00Bentley Continental GTC Tested on Ignition Episode 3 on Motor Trend’s YouTube Channel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2012/02/2012-Bentley-Continental-GTC-front-end-in-motion-4-623x389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2012/02/2012-Bentley-Continental-GTC-front-end-in-motion-4-623x389.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>Motor Trend</i> associate editor Michael Febbo puts the 5500-lb Bentley Continental GTC through its paces at the track, and goes halfway across the globe to do some grand touring on the country roads of Croatia, the latest destination of choice for Europe’s jet-set and yacht cruisers.<br />
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In this third episode of “Ignition,” Febbo praises the big Bentley’s agility, performance and braking, especially considering its substantial, nearly three-ton mass. But as he notes, how many Bentley owners are actually going to hustle their cars around a racetrack? Not many. A far more fitting, although more subjective test, is some proper grand touring.<br />
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The newly-hip European getaway of Croatia was chosen as the locale to let the topless grand touring coupe stretch its legs. The sunny Mediterranean climate allowed for top-down motoring to better hear the mellifluous turbocharged W12.<br />
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The nearly $250,000 price tag of the Bentley makes it about as much as a very nice house in most parts of the country (or a lawn shed in Southern California). But can you really put a price on the experience?<br />
Watch “Ignition” every Monday on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/motortrend">Motor Trend YouTube channel</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='420' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/woPM9LaHiec?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-71142566853289203462012-03-05T10:43:00.000-05:002012-03-05T10:43:42.081-05:002012 McLaren MP4-12C: Fast but not jarring, except to the wallet<div class="module byline"><h3><span style="font-size: x-small;">By <a href="http://www.blogger.com/warren-brown/2011/03/09/ABppDIQ_page.html" rel="author">Warren Brown</a>, <span class="timestamp updated processed">Published: March 2 | </span><span class="timestamp updated processed">Updated: Saturday, March 3, <span class="time special">11:19 PM</span></span></span></h3></div><div class="relative" id="article"><div id="article_body"><div class="article_body"><article><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/03/02/Cars/Images/2012McLarenMP412C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/03/02/Cars/Images/2012McLarenMP412C.JPG" width="400" /></a>RIVERSIDE, Calif. — I dislike being abused by automobiles, being treated as their inferior, which is how I often feel when I climb out of a Lamborghini, a Ferrari or, sometimes, a Chevrolet Corvette. They are heavy, fast supercars, not for ordinary drivers, which is a large part of their appeal.<br />
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I am an ordinary driver. I long ago jettisoned my racetrack fantasies, although I like driving fast whenever possible. And a car that handles exceptionally well, that treats the road as its private dance floor and me as its favorite partner, wins my heart every time.<br />
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But I don’t want to be bullied, roughed up by a too-tight suspension weighted with a heavy anti-roll bars — and then being told to “man up” because the abuse done to my little body is typical of that delivered by “real sports cars.” And I’ve never understood or accepted the claim that it is normal for real sports cars to come with a gas-guzzler tax, a graduated federal excise tax applied to cars that fail to get at least 22.5 miles per gallon in combined city-highway mileage.<br />
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How ironic is that? You pay big bucks for a supposedly super-engineered automobile that can’t muster 22.5 mpg. Where’s the genius in that? Where’s the engineering?<br />
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To me, the perfect sports car has a simple lightness of being. There is an ease about it akin to a quiet conversation with a loved one. When conversation turns to sweaty action, there is an ease about that, too. It is the pursuit of joy instead of the proof of prowess. The conversation ends. The action stops. There is reason to smile.<br />
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Can a sports car do that? Yes. I found it here in Riverside, a beautiful little town along the Santa Ana River, adjacent to the San Bernardino Mountains. Riverside fancies itself a “city of arts and innovation,” which is why I suppose my host, McLaren Automotive of Surrey, England, invited me here.<br />
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McLaren is an engineering company founded in 1963 to build cars for Formula One racing. It was enormously successful in that endeavor, winning eight Formula One Constructors’ World Championship titles and 12 Drivers’ Championship titles, thus becoming the only race-car manufacturer to win Indianapolis, Can-Am, Le Mans and Formula One crowns.<br />
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Mercedes-Benz and several other car companies have gone to McLaren for help in designing and engineering various automobiles. McLaren complied, but it has now decided to produce commercially available road cars on its own.<br />
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If the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C coupe (call it the 12C) is an example of what the company intends to offer, I wish it every success. It easily is one of the best-engineered, most driver-friendly, most fuel-efficient and sensible high-performance automobiles I’ve driven. At its core, and separating it from all of its commercial high-performance rivals, is a rigid, lightweight, carbon-fiber “tub.”<br />
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The tub forms the basic structure for the 12C’s two-seat, two-door passenger cabin. An aluminum subframe is attached to the front. A twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V-8 engine (592 horsepower, 443 foot-pounds of torque) sits between the cabin and rear wheels in an aluminum cradle mounted to the tub’s rear.<br />
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The 12C is a relatively lightweight affair, with a curb weight (including automotive fluids) of 3,161 pounds. Many ordinary family sedans beat that number by 900 pounds. Combine the 12C’s power with its rigid, superlight frame and you get a car that moves from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds. And it does all of that without beating you up or rattling your nerves. Credit what McLaren’s engineers call “proactive chassis control” (PCC).<br />
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Traditional sports cars are weighted with heavy anti-roll bars to improve vehicle handling, to help them avoid swinging out too far front or rear in fast turns. The improved handling is appreciated. But the ride is miserably compromised. Getting out of a traditional sports car after a long run often leaves the driver ready for nothing except a long sleep.<br />
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That isn’t the case with McLaren’s electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated PCC suspension. It is both lightweight and intuitive, providing the right amount of balance and road grip at every turn. It is the most curve-compliant sports car I’ve ever driven. I love it. Of course I do. I love a car that flatters the driver regardless of the driver’s level of competence.<br />
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But don’t mistake that to mean that the 12C is a motorized wimp. Its suspension can be adjusted for “normal” or “winter” or “track” driving. And the “track” setting is real stuff. I learned that much in multiple laps at the Auto Club Speedway in nearby Fontana, Calif., with McLaren’s chief test driver, Chris Goodwin, at the wheel.<br />
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Had I eaten lunch before climbing into the passenger’s seat next to Goodwin, who enjoys zooming to 130 mph and then hitting the brakes, I would have completely emptied my stomach. But he proved his point. The 12C is as competent on the track as it is usable and pleasant as a daily driver. Even better, it has a combined city-highway mileage of about 25 miles per gallon — my kind of sports car.<br />
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<br />
</article></div></div></div>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-38254840187375327932012-02-21T12:12:00.003-05:002012-02-21T12:12:45.218-05:00Cadillac beats out BMW as most desired auto brand in the U.S.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/cadillacctsvcoupe2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/cadillacctsvcoupe2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Cadillac has beat out BMW to become the most-desired automotive brand in the United States by men, according to results of a market research test by Buyology Inc.<br />
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“This year’s brand ranking demonstrates that it’s essential for companies to invest in creating deeper differentiated relationships with their consumers. These relationships provide the context that either amplifies or diminishes everything the brand does to connect with its customers,” said Gary Singer, Founding Partner and CEO, Buyology Inc. “Buyology’s neuro-insight tools provide rigorous analytic measurement of these deeper, previously unmeasured, connections to provide unique insight to brands and a roadmap for how to strengthen their relationships.”<br />
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<b><i>Check out more news on the <a href="http://www.egmcartech.com/tag/cadillac-ats" title="Cadillac ATS">Cadillac ATS</a></i></b>.<br />
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Lexus was the only other brand to make it on Buyology’s 2012 Most Desired Brands in the U.S. – it made it to No. 7 on the women’s list.<br />
<br />
<b>BUYOLOGY INC/uSAMP 2012 MOST DESIRED BRANDS in the U.S. by Men</b>:<br />
<ol><li>Southwest Airlines</li>
<li>Cadillac</li>
<li>BMW</li>
<li>Dove</li>
<li>Bed Bath & Beyond (we’re not sure why).</li>
<li>Apple</li>
<li>Google</li>
<li>Sharp</li>
<li>GE</li>
<li>Macy’s</li>
</ol><i>- By: Omar Rana</i>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-78421430151725131332012-01-30T11:16:00.000-05:002012-01-30T11:16:02.665-05:00Cadillac's Super Bowl 'Green Hell' Commercial<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='420' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yiah1fJ1MwM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</center>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-55199804107454700552012-01-21T19:00:00.007-05:002012-01-23T10:44:14.390-05:00Rolls-Royce Tampa Bay Launches New Facility In Grand Style!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTqaKp0jvp8/Tx15wjnp04I/AAAAAAAAAJU/WRARSQtkdJY/s1600/rr-grand-opening-graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTqaKp0jvp8/Tx15wjnp04I/AAAAAAAAAJU/WRARSQtkdJY/s1600/rr-grand-opening-graphic.png" /></a></div><br />
January 21st was the Grand Opening of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Tampa Bay's all new state-of-the-art facility. Guests enjoyed live entertainment, cocktails and private demonstrations of the all new Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase. Guests also had the opportunity to explore an exhibition of fine art courtesy of the University of South Florida's Contemporary Art Museum Corporate Sponsorship Program.<br />
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Mr. David Archibald, the President of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America was also in attendance to help launch our new facility.<br />
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<div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><u><b>CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO VIEW IN GALLERY MODE </b></u></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405582_334899119865326_142010069154233_1073253_701524114_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405582_334899119865326_142010069154233_1073253_701524114_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All New Rolls-Royce Tampa Bay Facility</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408805_334899246531980_142010069154233_1073255_1058475603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408805_334899246531980_142010069154233_1073255_1058475603_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/396201_334900439865194_142010069154233_1073274_1627999262_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/396201_334900439865194_142010069154233_1073274_1627999262_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The All New Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/396158_334899883198583_142010069154233_1073266_1265185296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/396158_334899883198583_142010069154233_1073266_1265185296_n.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. David Archibald, President Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/400410_334899789865259_142010069154233_1073265_1483973157_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="456" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Larguier, General Manager & C.O.O. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Tampa Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/407526_334900146531890_142010069154233_1073270_1581068641_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="456" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dimmitt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399588_334900566531848_142010069154233_1073276_1604212860_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399588_334900566531848_142010069154233_1073276_1604212860_n.jpg" width="424" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405646_334899283198643_142010069154233_1073256_1900475914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405646_334899283198643_142010069154233_1073256_1900475914_n.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405282_334899166531988_142010069154233_1073254_115012535_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405282_334899166531988_142010069154233_1073254_115012535_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402046_334899713198600_142010069154233_1073264_1624025949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402046_334899713198600_142010069154233_1073264_1624025949_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403154_334900346531870_142010069154233_1073273_945951012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403154_334900346531870_142010069154233_1073273_945951012_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/407399_334899593198612_142010069154233_1073262_1270599913_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/407399_334899593198612_142010069154233_1073262_1270599913_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406793_334900519865186_142010069154233_1073275_899627076_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406793_334900519865186_142010069154233_1073275_899627076_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405667_334900639865174_142010069154233_1073278_1477855437_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405667_334900639865174_142010069154233_1073278_1477855437_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXhb3gOiWNE/Tx2ARR7oV7I/AAAAAAAAAJc/OI8MjsnMh-E/s1600/rr2012-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXhb3gOiWNE/Tx2ARR7oV7I/AAAAAAAAAJc/OI8MjsnMh-E/s640/rr2012-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407775_334900256531879_142010069154233_1073272_690117262_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-45779813882616456342012-01-13T14:20:00.000-05:002012-01-13T14:20:58.600-05:00The Most Exciting Car at the Detroit Auto Show<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>by Brett Berk - Vanity Fair - January 9, 2012</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2012/01/The-Most-Exciting-Car-at-the-Detroit-Auto-Show/_jcr_content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_blogpost/cn_float_container/cn_image.size.Cadillac-ATS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2012/01/The-Most-Exciting-Car-at-the-Detroit-Auto-Show/_jcr_content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_blogpost/cn_float_container/cn_image.size.Cadillac-ATS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cadillac's latest gem, the ATS sedan, emerges at its unveling</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Reflecting a resurgent optimism in the automotive industry, a surfeit of slaver-worthy vehicles are receiving their world premieres at this year’s North American International Auto Show, which opens to the public this weekend at Detroit’s COBO Center. BMW is showing its newest benchmark sports sedan, the 3-Series, Mercedes is unveiling the latest in its six decade-long line of grand touring roadsters in the new SL550, and Bentley is launching an “efficient” twin-turbo V-8 in its new Continental GT. Lexus and Acura are both introducing sinewy hybrid sports cars which will hopefully expunge their brand’s current bland and/or ludicrous styling language. Chevy and Ford are each set to reveal their most powerful pony cars ever, a 580 horsepower Camaro and a 650 (!) horsepower Mustang. And even Dodge has a slick new compact, the Dart, based on a platform borrowed from Alfa Romeo via their shared corporate overlord, Fiat.<br />
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<span id="goog_1462202032"></span><span id="goog_1462202033"></span><span id="goog_1462202035"></span><span id="goog_1462202036"></span>But the car we are most excited about was just unmasked last night by our beloved Wreath-and-Crest brand, the one named for the weird-hatted French explorer/adventurer who founded our host (and home) city of Detroit. That’s right, ladies: it’s a Cadillac. This classy domestic manufacturer has made a remarkable comeback over the past decade, creating vehicles like the CTS coupe, sedan, and wagon that can go heel to toe with the best medium-sized vehicles from Japan and Germany, all while styled in a distinct and distinctly American sport/luxury idiom.<br />
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But Caddy hasn’t had a competitive entry-level car since…well, probably since the LaSalle, an elegant sub-brand hatched during the heady days of the roaring 20s. All that changed last night at the historic Argonaut Building—a Art Deco pile designed by famed industrial architect Albert Kahn, and listed on the National Register—when the sheets were pulled off the newest, and smallest, Cadillac, the ATS. Advancing the creasy poignard edge of the brand’s “Arts and Science” design style, but pulling the lines down and tucking them taut in a way that’s more Danish Modern than High Bauhaus, the ATS looks at once balanced and audacious, and every bit a contemporary Cadillac.<br />
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<a href="http://image.motortrend.com/f/39722655+w786+ar1/2012-cadillac-ATS-interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/39722655+w786+ar1/2012-cadillac-ATS-interior.jpg" width="400" /></a>Inside, we see the usual posh leather, metals, wood, and fabrics frescoed on every surface. But there in the middle of the console—glowing like the 5000 candlepower bulb in the Manistee Lighthouse due west of namesake Cadillac, Michigan—is the bright new Cadillac User Experience (CUE). This iPad-like control center operates an advanced infotainment system that—based on our hands-on, one-on-one demonstration (with a handsome engineer)—promises to be an exceptional and transparent interface, in a market crowded with illogical and occluded ones.<br />
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We’re also revved about what’s under the hood and…whatever part of the car the transmission underpins. What we mean is, there will be an all-new, high-output, and highly efficient four cylinder turbocharged engine pumping out as much power (270 hp) to the rear wheels as the old V-6 in the CTS’s bay, and a real slick stick shift to direct its forward (and backward) progress.<br />
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When we conducted our first ever <i>VF.com</i> car review back in 2008, it was of then newly refreshed CTS sedan. We adored that vehicle—and still do—and even thought about buying one, but wished it was “8/10th the size and 2/10th more involved.” We think the ATS might be just that car, and then some. We look forward to putting it through our rigorous evaluation protocol when it enters our vector this coming summer. For now, we’re just content to caress it with our mind.DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-48893965787096484472012-01-10T14:21:00.001-05:002012-07-09T13:47:46.228-04:00Introducing the All-New 2013 Cadillac ATS<object height="350" width="725"><param name="movie" value="http://i.netcarshow.com/ncs_show.swf?c=Cadillac&m=2013-ATS"></param>
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Built from the ground up to challenge the world's best sport sedans. A blend of technologically driven performance, elegance and design, the ATS is poised to rival the world's best. We are looking forward to the official launch of this all-new vehicle. </div>
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Feel free to <a href="http://www.dimmitt.com/contact-us" target="_blank">CONTACT US</a> for further information and to get on our list to be one of the first ones to test drive!!</div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403837_10150583828489923_95690769922_11143407_204832050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403837_10150583828489923_95690769922_11143407_204832050_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3074859752136824448.post-10791015124778154312012-01-09T07:33:00.002-05:002012-01-09T11:37:23.892-05:00Range Rover Evoque Wins Truck of the Year - 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZcieLZi3_TtEtF4aa0o8GcDd_CzQd-8zo7-sM4evoO9tEun-gUVhusChRSZcVx-cq2J2PNPiAOGrlO0KF1wdG9YXcdH-_8aKyCLUCtr5AnbKGsjCwhTudV_Soy6ozvHAX_uPvOIrxkM/s400/Range-Rover-Evoque-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZcieLZi3_TtEtF4aa0o8GcDd_CzQd-8zo7-sM4evoO9tEun-gUVhusChRSZcVx-cq2J2PNPiAOGrlO0KF1wdG9YXcdH-_8aKyCLUCtr5AnbKGsjCwhTudV_Soy6ozvHAX_uPvOIrxkM/s320/Range-Rover-Evoque-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque was named 2012 North American Truck of the Year today by a panel of automotive journalists.<br />
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This is the first time that Range Rover has won the North American Truck of the Year.<br />
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The awards are judged by 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada - representing magazines, newspapers, websites, TV and radio.<br />
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The criteria used to judge the winners include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and the value for the dollar.<br />
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The truck semifinalists for 2012 were the BMW X3, Honda CR-V, Mercedes-Benz M Class, Mini Countryman, Nissan Quest and Saab 9-4X.DIMMITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08260203911063734460noreply@blogger.com0