Bentley Azure T 2010

Not the best pictures in the world today. They were taken through the windows of a coach, waiting for the Eurostar on the way back from France. The car we have here is a Bentley Azure T. The Azure was produced between 1995 and 2003 for the first generation (based on the Continental R at the time) and between 2006 and 2009 for the second generation. The Azure T, based like the second generation on the Arnage platform, was produced in 2009 and 2010 and has increased performance compared to the standard Azure. The 6.75 twin-turbo V8 engine produces 500bhp allowing the Azure T to reach 62mph in just 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 179mph or 288km/h. With a fuel consumption of 14.5mpg on a combined cycle, the Azure T is far from being a cheap coupe to run!

Insider 17 - Mercedes SLS

Quite a straightforward post today, we are inside a Mercedes SLS, with not much happening. It is pretty much the driver, the steering wheel and the car! Love the gull-wing doors though!

Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale 2012

 

Still at James Martin's Supercar Sunday, a Maserati Gran Turismo in its super-sporty outfit, the MC Stradale. This model has a 4.7 V8 engine with 460bhp, which allows the Gran Turismo to reach a top speed of 188mph or 302km/h and cover 0-62 in just 4.5 seconds. As you can see with the different pictures, the Stradale benefits from specific aerodynamic additions such as a front splitter and a rear air dam, as well as carbon ceramic brakes. I am not 100% convinced by the black carbon fiber bonnet but it is still a very nice-looking car!

A day on British motorways...

On my way down to Northern France for a long weekend, I thought I would make a list of cars I could spot on the motorway. And here it is: Ferrari F40, Porsche Gt2, Aston Martin Rapide, Bentley Continental Gtc, Rolls Royce convertible, Mercedes Sls convertible, Maserati Gran Turismo, Mercedes C63 AMG coupe, Vauxhall Vxr, Jaguar F-type, Ford Focus RS, Aston Martin DB9 volante, Ferrari F430 spider, Ford Mustang, Ferrari 458 Spider, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Porsche Panamera, Mercedes S65amg, BMW M3, and I probably forgot a couple! Not a bad day spotting even though I didn't get time for any pictures!

20,000!

Just reached 20,000 views! 

Once again, thank you all for your interest!

Ferrari Testarossa 1991

Another iconic Ferrari out of James Martin's collection, the 1991 Testarossa, still spotted on Sunday during his Supercar Sunday on the Great Northern Square in Manchester. The Testarossa ("red head" in Italian) was produced between 1984 and 1991, a 7-year period during which over 7,000 of them rolled out of the Maranello production line. It is powered by a 4.9 flat-12 engine which develops 390bhp. 0-62 takes the Testarossa 5.3 seconds and the top speed is 180mph or 290km/h.

James Martin Supercar Sunday Manchester 08-06-14

 

As I mentioned in my previous post, today was James Martin's Supercar Sunday on the Great Northern Square in Manchester. James Martin had several of his cars on show, 4 Ferraris, a classic Ford Prefect which he races with Jason Plato and his Ford Mustang GT. Several other cars were on display: a Mclaren MP4-12C, an Aston Martin Vanquish (1st generation), a Maserati Gran Turismo Challenge Stradale, a classic racing Alfa Romeo, a brand-new Rolls Royce Wraith, several Bentleys from the dealership as well as 2 Kahn models (Range Rover and Defender). James Martin was present through most of the day, very friendly and approachable, shaking hands, having his picture taken, showing people the cars, opening bonnets... A great day with great cars and a great guy!

I just need to try his restaurant now, located round the corner inside the 235 Casino!

http://jamesmartinmanchester.co.uk/

Ferrari 275 GTB/C 1965

I spent the late morning/early afternoon in Manchester today, particularly around the Great Northern Square as it was James Martin's Supercar Sunday event. As you can see from the 3rd picture, James Martin was present most of the time, meeting the public around supercars, both classics and more recent, most of which from his personal collection. I will present several of them in successive posts, but let's start with the best of them, his Ferrari 275 GTB/C. This is a Race model of the standard 275 GTB, which was produced in 1965. It has a 275bhp 3.3 V12 engine. Only 12 275 GTB/C were ever produced, but James Martin's is unique as it is the only one to have been produced right-hand drive. 

This is a stunning looking car, thank you very much to James Martin for sharing it with us!

BMW X6M 2011

Seen at the Trafford Centre, we have a BMW X6M. The X6M is a specific sports model and not just a standard one with an M-pack. The X6M has a 4.4 V8 engine which produces 555bhp. The big BMW can therefore reach 62mph in just 4.7 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph or 250km/h. Not bad for a car which weighs over 2.2 tons!

Ford Mustang 5.0

Spotted on the carpark of Waitrose Altrincham, this Ford Mustang. I tried to get the information about the car on my app but the plate was not recognised and as it is a private plate, I cannot give you the exact year of production. I reckon early 2010's. The badge on the side of the car give the engine away, and this one seems to have a 5.0 V8 which should therefore produce 412bhp. As far as performance is concerned, the Mustang can reach 62mph in just 4.5 second and up to a limited top speed og 155mph or 250km/h. A proper muscle car!