Thursday 27 March 2014

Aston Martin DB6 1968





As promised a few months ago now, after the DB5, the Aston Martin DB6. Like I said in the post about the DB5, these pictures were taken during the Tatton Classic Car show last summer, hence the first picture with both cars side by side. 
The DB6 obviously replaced the DB5 and was produced at the Newport Pagnell factory between 1965 and 1971. Nearly 2,000 DB6 were produced during this period and we have got one here. The 4-liter in-line six-cylinder Aston Martin engine developed 325bhp allowing the car to reach 62mph in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 150mph or 241km/h.
Like with the DB5, a true gentleman's car!

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Mercedes C63 AMG 5dr 2012




Nearly a year after the first one, a Mercedes C63 AMG 5dr spotted on Deansgate a few weeks ago. Like with the one I saw in Alderley Edge last year, it has a 6.3l V8 engine, with 457bhp. 0-62 is covered in 4.5 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph (250km/h).
I love the red brake calipers!

Saturday 22 March 2014

Lexus SC430 2006




A bit different today with a more unusual car, the Lexus SC430. The 2-seater Lexus is a grand tourer with a hard top. It has a 4.3 V8 engine with 282bhp. 0-62 takes 6.2 seconds and the top speed is 155mph (250km/h). Lexus didn't sell a huge quatity of SC430 and stopped production in 2010, but you still come across the odd one around.

Thursday 20 March 2014

Audi RS3 2012



Just back from France, hence the lack of new posts recently! Today, a car I spotted in Altrincham a couple of weeks ago, an Audi RS3. As usual, the RS badge on Audis indicates a super-sporty version of a basic model. (RennSport in German meaning Racing Sport) Here we have an RS version of the standard A3.
The Audi RS3 has a 2.5 straight-5 turbocharged engine with 335bhp. 0-62 should take only 4.6 seconds with the RS3 and as usual, the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph or 250km/h.

Thursday 6 March 2014

Audi R8 Spyder V8 2013



Another Audi R8, but a Spyder today, with the smaller V8 engine. I spotted it at the weekend in Sale. So a 4.2 V8 engine it has, with 430bhp. 0-62 is covered in 4.5 seconds and the top speed is 187mph or 300km/h 

Sunday 2 March 2014

Maserati Ghibli 2014




I went for a quick look around the Trafford Centre this afternoon, and as I was about to leave, stumbled across a Maserati stand on the ground floor, with 2 cars, the updated Quattroporte and the brand new Ghibli.
Ghibli is not a new name in the Maserati world as 2 previous models already bear the name. The first one dates back to the late 60's early 70's and the second one to the 90's. The new one is a bit of a revolution though as it is the very first Maserati powered by a diesel engine. The car in the pictures is the diesel version. It has a 3.0 V6 engine with 275bhp. 0-62 takes 6.3 seconds and the top speed is 155mph or 250km/h. It is however also available with a 3.0 V6 turbocharged petrol engine. The standard version offers 330bhp (0-62 in 5.6 seconds and 163mph/263km/h top speed) and the "S" version 410bhp (0-62 in 5.0 seconds and 177mph/285km/h top speed)
Because of its 4 doors, diesel engine and competitive price (starting at £48,830 for the diesel) I reckon Maserati want to re-position themselves and start competing with German saloons. Indeed you can buy the Maserati for price of a BMW 535d M Sport or a Mercedes CLS 250CDI. 
A few months ago, I spoke to a sales person at the Knutsford Ferrari/Maserati dealership who told me they were about to stop stocking Maserati as the interest from customers was not great enough. The guy I spoke to today in the Trafford Centre seemed to say that Maserati was still in Knutsford but had moved to the Jaguar dealership. I do like the look of Maseratis, particularly the GranTurismo, and hope this new launch will put them back on track!


Sources and more info:
http://www.maserati.co.uk/
http://jalopnik.com/the-brief-history-of-the-maserati-ghibli-471791671