2012 Texas Rangers – Park Place Dealerships – Triple Play Event
Park Place Dealerships is proud to once again be the title presenter of the Texas Rangers Triple Play event set for May 27th at the Hilton Anatole Dallas. The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children in need within our community, and provides funding for youth in crisis, youth health initiatives, youth baseball programs, and youth education. This event serves as their largest fundraiser each year. The theme this year is “Escape to the Hamptons.” The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner, the program, and then ‘game shows.’ The entire Texas Rangers team will be in attendance and there will be silent and live auctions. Ian and Tess Kinsler and Michael Young and Cristina-Barbosa Young are the hosts for the evening and Fox Sports Southwest’s Emily Jones will be the Mistress of Ceremonies.
To reserve tables or individual tickets, contact the Foundation at (817) 436-5933 or tripleplay@texasrangers.com. Click here fore the full press release on Texas Rangers.com.
Park Place Service Using RFID Tags and Technology to Enhance Client Experience
By Terry Box, Dallas News
Few cars go unnoticed on the busy service drive at Park Place Motorcars.
A couple of years ago, the Dallas Mercedes-Benz and Porsche dealership began attaching RFID tags, similar to TollTags, to new and used vehicles. Monitors on the service drive read the tags as customers pull in.
“When you arrive, it alerts your service adviser that you are here, tells the adviser what service you’re scheduled for and brings up your service history — all in a few seconds,” said Tony Carimi, director of operations at Park Place Dealerships.
The technology revolution that blew through showrooms more than a decade ago — ushering in Internet car sales — is now roaring through service department back shops.
Service advisors are trading pens and clipboards for iPads, while technicians tune cars with laptops. Devices embedded in service drives check tires on cars entering the dealership for wear and alignment.
Meanwhile, technicians use iPads to photograph worn parts on a vehicle, emailing the pictures to customers so they can decide whether to fix them.
World’s Fastest Hybrid Semi Truck – Volvo’s Mean Green
Volvo’s Mean Green Hybrid Semi truck proved victorious in setting a new land speed record (subject to Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, or FIA recognition) at the Historic Wendover Airfield in Utah (just a short drive from the famous Bonneville Salt Flats) last month. The Swedish Viking Speed Records Team led by racing driver Boije Ovebrink set two land speed racing world records; piloting the Volvo Hybrid Semi Truck “Mean Green” to an average speed of 236.577 km/h (147.002 mph) through the Flying Kilometer (2/3 mile) and ran 153.252 km/h (95.245 mph) from a standstill over the same Kilometer.
Mean Green features a highly tuned Volvo D16 engine cranking out 1900 horsepower and an electric motor good for 200 horsepower and an amazing 885 lb-ft. of torque to bump the combined power total to nearly 5,000 lb-ft.
The Bentley Continental GTC 6.0 Litre W12
Taking cues from its 6.0 litre W12 GT coupe sibling, the Continental GTC builds on the highly successful foundation of the previous cabriolet, which premiered in 2006. Bentley’s design and engineering teams have improved virtually every aspect of the iconic convertible with an uncompromising focus on quality.
While the original Continental GTC was elegant and understated, the sharper radii and assertive stance of the new model deliver a more contemporary and muscular presence. Advanced manufacturing techniques produce aluminium front wings without the need for seams or welds creating the look and feel of a coachbuilt car. Twenty-inch wheels are now standard with three styles of 21-inch wheel, a first for GTC, available as an option, reinforcing the distinctive, sporting stance of the new Bentley.
The four-seater luxury convertible features a new, even more spacious and sumptuous hand-crafted cabin, with soft-touch leather hides, an extensive range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets. There are 17 standard soft-touch leather hide colours with six colour split combinations, complemented by a range of seven veneers, all produced by Bentley’s talented craftsmen and women.
The GTC’s renowned coupe-like refinement is also enhanced. The tailored, multi-layered fabric hood is complemented by acoustic glass and under-body panels, for optimum noise isolation.
Superb everyday practicality for a luxury convertible was a hallmark of the original GTC and much valued by its customers. The cabin of the GTC is even more practical, with additional rear legroom, new storage solutions and innovative features such as touch-screen infotainment, automatic seat-belt presenters and a Bentley-designed Neck Warmer for comfortable roof-down motoring whatever the temperature.
A wider track, front and rear, sharper steering and retuned suspension provide a more exhilarating and class-leading drive. Bentley’s advanced all-wheel drive system features a new 40:60 rear torque bias (compared with 50:50 of the original GTC) minimising understeer during hard cornering and allowing the spirited driver to manage the car’s line and balance via precise throttle control.
This compelling dynamic package is combined with a more powerful 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine as well as a new QuickShift transmission enabling faster gear changes than ever before. Power output is raised from 560 PS to 575 PS (567 bhp / 423 kW) and the famed Bentley ‘wave of torque’ has been increased by a further 50 Nm to 700 Nm (516 lb ft).
“The GTC has always been the most emotional model in the Continental range and a showcase for Bentley design. With its tailored soft top, the GTC is a pure British convertible true to those classic Bentleys of the past. However, the technology, performance and overall design excellence invested in this model means that we are now writing a new chapter for the Bentley convertible driver.” Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors.
Read Full Release From Bentley Media
Design Inspirations For Jaguar C-X16 Interior
Julian Thompson, Advanced Design Director for Jaguar Cars and Alister Whelan, the Design Director for the C-X16, discuss the inspirations and details of the interior of the stunning Jaguar C-X16 Concept. The result is a super-luxurious and well-thought out design brought to life with the finest materials, rich textures, and unparalleled craftsmanship.
VIDEO: Rolls-Royce Design Chief Explains The Phantom Series II
It’s tough to improve on perfection – but Rolls-Royce has done just that. Giles Taylor, Head of Exterior Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, takes us around the Phantom Series II. The car was launched at the Geneva Motor in March.
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes takes silver medal at 2012 Edison Awards
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes joins a host of international brand leaders, all of whom earned recognition from the Edison Awards judging panel for their ongoing commitment to technical innovation and excellence. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “I’m delighted that our ongoing efforts to manage and improve our carbon efficiency have been recognised by the Edison Awards judging panel. This is a fantastic achievement for the whole team.
“The nominees’ list at last night’s ceremony in New York read like a Who’s Who of the great and good in the world of inspirational technical innovation, and I’m immensely proud that our team has been recognised on that list.
“While our silver medal is further validation of the steps we’ve made, and certainly helps showcase our efforts on a global level, it is still merely the starting point for an ongoing and concerted mission to ensure that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes conducts its business in an environmentally conscious and responsible way.”
For the full announcement, visit McLaren.com here.
Rare 1957 Silver Cloud Rolls-Royce; “Honeymoon Express”; Goes To Auction
The 1957 Silver Cloud I is considered one of the rarest postwar Rolls-Royce vehicles in existence, one of only two of its kind ever built, says RM Auctions, which puts it on the block Saturday in Monaco.
The finned classic was dubbed the “Honeymoon Express” because of its romantic touches. It’s a two-seater, its seats finished in red Connolly leather. There’s a pair of cabinets in the rear where a cocktail shaker and four whiskey tumblers are stashed. There are pull-out ashtrays in each door and another underneath the radio.
Patrick Long Grabs Coffee In Porsche GT3 RS 4.0
Patrick Long, three-time ALMS GT2 Driver’s Champion and Le Mans winner – spends some quality time with the Porsche GT3 RS 4.0. He is also Porsche’s only American Factory Driver. While at the Porsche Sport Driving School at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, Patrick helped fellow Porsche driver Hurley Haywood by testing to see how fast he could grab a cup of coffee.