Ferrari F40 1990

A real icon of the late 1980's/ 1990's today, one I grew up with (well, not a real one but rather a 1:18 model) the Ferrari F40. I had never seen a real one before and I know I didn't spot it on a street but when I realised the Stratstone Ferrari dealer in Wilmslow had one for sale, I had to go and see it, and here it is, in all it's glory. The F40 is described by many as the world's best supercar and yet, as you can notice in the pictures of the inside of the car, there was no luxury at all, no aircon, airbag, stereo or even door handle, all that in order to save a maximum of weight. Only man and machine, a true driving experience. Underneath the back windscreen and huge spoiler, you'll find the 2.9 twin-turbocharged V8 engine which produces 471bhp and is capable of taking the F40 to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 200mph or 320km/h. Not bad for a 25 year-old car. So enjoy the pictures because, even if over 1,300 F40 were produced between 1987 and 1992, the £800,000 current price tag for one means you won't probably see many around town!

Aston Martin DP-100 2014

Between reality and virtuality, this is the real version of Aston Martin latest digital concept. I mentioned it in my last post about the the opening of Aston Martin's new service centre in Wilmslow, so here it is! The car is called DP-100 and it was designed specifically for the PlayStation racing game Gran Turismo 6. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0 V12 which produces 800bhp! Not a production car, the DP-100 shows the direction Aston Martin is likely to take for its forthcoming models.

Aston Martin Service Centre Wilmslow Opening 30-05-15

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Aston Martin inviting me to the opening of their new service centre in Wilmslow. That was today and it was worth going! Even if the very sleek facilities are a bit tucked away, they have much more space than they used to have at the previous location. The whole range was present, as well as 2 little bonuses, a Vantage GTE and the DP-100 (posts to follow...) The whole Aston team was on hand to answer any questions, supported by an outdoor barbecue and coffee bar! 

Thank you Aston Martin and +Stratstone !

http://www.astonmartin.com/

Range Rover Kahn 600LE 2014

Second post in a row with a tuned up Range Rover, this time this is the Kahn take on the proper Range Rover with this "600 Luxury Edition". The Evoque Kahn I posted a few months ago seemed to have been enjoyed by many so I thought I would post this one today. I took the pictures during James Martin's Supercar Sunday last year in Manchester. Kahn were present with a modified Defender and this particular model. The 600LE is based on the 258bhp 3.0 TDV6 Vogue Range Rover. As with the previous tuned Range Rover, the modifications a purely cosmetic but I feel this one is particularly successful despite my dislike for SUVs. The colour, the body work and the interior work a treat together!

I must also say the staff present on that day were incredibly pleasant and helpful!

For more information:

http://www.kahndesign.com/

Range Rover Sport Revere 2014

Another Range Rover today, and another one prepared by a luxury tuning company. This time, the tuner is a London-based company called Revere. They do not focus exclusively on Range Rover preparation but on a wide range of luxury brands (I have only come across Range Rovers though!)

Once again, the tuning is mainly cosmetic with a change of bumpers, side skirts, wheels... This particular conversion is based on a 2014 Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 petrol. It has 503bhp, reaches 62mph from 0 in just 5 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph (250km/h) -limited as usual.

For more info:
www.reverelondon.com/

Aston Martin Vantage 1995

A month and a half after my last post, I am back with this great Aston Martin Vantage from the mid-90s. Muscly-looking, this Aston has a 5.3 supercharged V8 under the bonnet which produces 550bhp, allowing the Vantage to reach 62mph in 4.6 seconds all the way to 186mph or 300km/h. Not bad for a 20 year-old sports car!

www.astonmartin.com

BMW 650 Ci 2008

Another matte black 6-series BMW but today it is the 650 convertible. Under the bonnet you will find a 4.8 V8 engine which produces 362bhp. As far as performance is concerned, 0-62 takes 5.6 seconds and the top speed is limited as usual to 155mph or 250km/h. This one was spotted at the Trafford Centre a few weeks ago. I always do like red Brembo brake calipers!

www.bmw.co.uk/