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Range Rover's finest, Audi's longest and raciest Lexus
publication date: Feb 11, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
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new Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, a hand-finished exclusive addition,
will make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. |
The
flagship model adds a handcrafted luxury interior, using specially selected
soft feel natural leathers, to an interior renowned for being one of the finest
in the automotive world and the rear passengers now experience
first-class-style accommodation never before seen in a Range Rover with greater
legroom.
Two
stand alone electric rear seats enhance space and comfort for the rear
passengers, making the Ultimate Edition the definitive chauffeur vehicle.
The addition of a rear console extension, including a machined aluminium
laptop table and drinks chiller, and two Apple iPads* as standard (the first
car to do so), takes the Range Rover rear seat experience to new levels of luxury.
The
luxury theme extends to the rear load space, with a super yacht inspired teak
floor with metal and leather detailing. The interior story is completed with
high-end semi-aniline leather seating and Oxford leather on the door casings,
dashboard top and steering wheel. For the first time, Kalahari wood
veneers are used on the facia and door top rolls and unique interior colourways
of either dark cherry or Arabica are available.
Two
new unique exterior colours, either Roussillon Red or Otago Stone, are
available along with body coloured door handles, dark atlas radiator grille and
side vents to create a sophisticated finish. This Ultimate Edition is fitted
with new and unique 20" multi-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels, and
unique tailgate badging. Customers also have the option of an Exterior
Design Pack and deployable side steps.
The
all-V8 engine line-up includes the superb new 4.4 litre LR-TDV8 Diesel engine
with a new eight-speed transmission incorporating Drive Select with Paddle
Shift as standard. This LR-TDV8 combines superior power with 313PS, 700Nm
torque whilst delivering even lower fuel consumption and 14% less CO2
emissions than its predecessor in line with the stringent EU5 emissions
standards. The combined cycle fuel consumption of the new LR-TDV8 4.4-litre is
just 30.1mpg, making this the first Range Rover ever to better 30mpg.
The
8-speed ZF automatic gearbox tuned by Land Rover engineers to combine silky
smooth shifting with exceptionally rapid response and improved fuel economy,
catapults the Range Rover from rest to 60mph in a mere 7.5 seconds and complete
the 50mph-75mph dash in just 5.1 seconds.
The
LR-V8 5.0 Supercharged engine is also available delivering awesome power and
torque, 510PS and 625Nm, propelling the Range Rover from 0-60mph in a
breath-taking 5.9 seconds. Prices will be confirmed later but are
likely to be equivalent to about £130,000 in respective markets. | | | | | Audi has gone to even
greater lengths to cocoon A8 passengers in absolute comfort in long wheelbase
versions of the lightweight aluminium-bodied luxury saloon. |  |
Available from £60,010
OTR, the five-strong A8 L range incorporates an additional 130mm of wheelbase
and body length to provide even more exceptional passenger accommodation. It is
also further refined by a 6.3-litre, twelve cylinder W12 flagship model that is
exclusive to the long wheelbase line-up which runs to a maximum £94,460. | | | | The most exclusive Lexus yet built, the LFA supercar gains an even more
track-focused profile with the addition of the bespoke Nürburgring Package, to
be shown in public for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March.
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Aimed at customers looking for
even greater levels of performance from the V10 supercar, the Nürburgring
Package is available on a maximum of 50 of the 500 cars that are being built.
It provides additional aerodynamic features and technical revisions to improve
handling and downforce, increases engine output by 10bhp to 562bhp and speeds
up gear shifts in the six-speed sequential transmission.
Lexus will also be presenting the
new CT 200h, the first and only full hybrid model in the luxury hatchback
segment, just ahead of its market launch. Europe-wide enquiries about the new
car are 40 per cent higher than expected and customer orders are 50 per cent
above Lexus's plan. Appearing alongside the GS 450h executive sports saloon, RX
450h luxury SUV and LS 600h limousine, CT 200h provides Lexus with the only
comprehensive range of full hybrid models in Europe.
CT 200h is expected to drive
Lexus's European sales higher, with an anticipated increase of more than 60 per
cent in a premium market that is predicted to remain flat overall.
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