Vehicles – Page 31 – Park Place Dealerships

November 13, 2014May 7, 2015

2015 CLA is Meant For Your Driveway

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA a car designed to tempt you to go faster with every touch of the pedal. This is the first front wheel drive that Mercedes-Benz will release in the United States. This cars uniquely sleek design combined with an on slot of new features make this automobile the envy of the whole neighborhood. The 2015 CLA-Class makes safety one of its top priorities with the addition of an autonomous partial braking system. Other aspects of the car that shine are the breath taking interior which follows the lead of the latest Mercedes-Benz models sporting a large touch screen panel. A freestanding 8-inch display will now be available as an option and “Mercedes connect me” standard services are provided as part of the basic specification and can be enhanced through the addition of further options. CLA will also be available with Convenience Telephony and able to connect in to high-speed LTE networks

The panel sits atop the futuristic looking consul wrapped with a number of new wood grain options. The 2015 CLA also boasts its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that pushes out 208 horses and 258 lb-ft of torque regardless of whether it heads to the front or all four wheels. This is a car that fits into the model of any person’s lifestyle. Whether you are a new college grad or a 63-year-old doctor/dad the 2015 CLA has the type of charisma that is rarely seen from a vehicle at this price level. With a base price of $29,000 this car is one that you would love to walk into the garage and see in the morning. It gives off that “I am hot and I know it” vibe that everyone says they hate but in actually it is everyone favorite quality. It is a tempest of a car in the truest sense of the word. The headlights look like the eyes of a cheetah at night as they whined in and out of lanes. If this specimen of a sports sedan has enticed you enough already then find yourself behind the wheel of one at any of Park Place Motorcars DFW locations: Dallas, Grapevine and Fort Worth.

October 1, 2014November 1, 2019

Bentley Motorsport Grabs Victory At Pirelli World Challenge Race

For the first time in a long time, Bentley Motorsport grabbed a victory on American soil. The modern day Bentley Boys claimed the trophy in the race team’s ninth Pirelli World Challenge race of the year. Driver Guy Smith was behind the wheel of the GT3, a race-bred version of the iconic Continental GT, powered by a 4.0 liter, twin-turbo V8 engine. This GT3 takes the essence of the Continental GT and pushes it to the brink. More than 1000 kg of weight has been eliminated on this racecar, enabling it to land Bentley Motorsports back on top of the podium.

Bentley Continental GT3 racing

On his 40^th birthday, Guy Smith was able to get on the pole and continue his quality driving – ending the event with the victory for Bentley Motorsport at the Miller Motorsport Park. The Dyson Racing Bentley Team not only took home the top spot in the race but finished with an extremely impressive first, second and third place standing. This marks the new era of Bentley racing as the team looks to build off of their recent success in the coming 2015 season. With this just being the first season back on the track for the one time legendary race team, more successes look to be in their headlights. Bentley
Motorsport was once the cornerstone of the racing world and they have high hopes of returning to the automotive glory that their brand was built upon.

Bentley Racing Team Podium

To keep track of the North American Bentley Motorsport Dyson Racing you can follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/DysonRacing.

September 29, 2014May 7, 2015

Rolls Royce Wraith: The Way a Gentleman Should Drive

The Rolls Royce Wraith is the fastest, most powerful car Rolls Royce has ever created. Under the hood is the same 6.6-liter twin-turbo V-12 as the Ghost, but power has been boosted from 563 hp at 5250 rpm to a healthy 624 hp at 5600 rpm, and torque increases from 575 lb-ft to 590. With more power and torque, the Wraith hits 60 mph in about 4.1 seconds, and runs the quarter mile in about 12.5 seconds. Another amazing feature the Wraith has is the Satellite aided transmission, which sees the road ahead that you can’t, and shifts the car’s gears properly just as a professional driver would. The Wraith never tries too hard to be a sports car. It is a gentleman’s touring car in the truest sense of the term. From the classic Rolls Royce grill with the signature Spirit of Ecstasy flying at the helm of the Wraith, to the tuned up engine that does sound much more sports car like than what we are used to from Rolls Royce, this car is a car meant for a man who is making moves in life.

Recently the Rolls-Royce Wraith Launch Film has been awarded a Gold Award at the 26^th International Visual Communications Association (IVCA) Awards in London this year. The film, entitled ‘And the World Stood Still’, introduces Wraith as the most powerful and technologically-advanced Rolls-Royce in history. Filmed at a secret location near Barcelona, the shoot included a ‘Timeslice’ (frozen time) sequence created using 100 cameras, the longest purpose-built SLR camera rig in Europe, an award-winning film director, 36 computers, 1.5km of cables and one prototype Rolls-Royce Wraith. A ‘behind the scenes’ film was also launched after the Company was inundated with requests from fans across social media networks worldwide. The almost haunted mist seen throughout the short film relays the combination of the visible ideological juxtaposition inside the Wraith. The glamorous mystique of the Rolls-Royce brand mixed with the powerful V-12 placed in a chassis where it can really show you what it is made of. Everything inside, outside and about this vehicle is made from the finest materials on the globe, and every piece of the car was built and put together by hand. There is no mistaking this car for anything but a masterpiece. It is a chariot fit for kings.

If feel the urge to see if the crown fits you as well, visit Park Place Rolls Royce Motor Cars Dallas to experience the power and elegance that comes standard with any of the Rolls Royce Motor Cars.

September 17, 2014November 1, 2019

Park Place Porsche Prepares for the Lone Star Le Mans September 19 – 20

Circuit of the Americas in Austin to host the only U.S. race in the
FIA World Endurance Championship

Park Place Porsche held an open house Saturday, September 13, in their newly redesigned showroom on Lemmon Avenue. While the new space was impressive, the real stars were the 911 RSR and 919 Hybrid racecars. The 919 Hybrid will be making its North American track debut this weekend at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas (COTA), during the Lone Star Le Mans September 19 – 20.

As the United States’ only Grand Prix track, COTA will feature the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) September 20th. The six-hour race will start at 5 p.m. with the sun scheduled to set at 7:43 p.m., making it the maiden night race for COTA. The six Porsche 919 Hybrid drivers will rely on their recent twilight and night racing experience at the 24-hour Le Mans.

“We are highly motivated going into Austin and want to benefit from everything we have learned so far, “ said Fritz Enzinger, Vice President LMP1. “It is almost like the kick off of a second season, but under new conditions. For a long time the Le Mans preparations dominated everything. Then we had a strong performance there and emerged together from what was the harsh end of it. The Porsche 919 Hybrid’s new aero package was working straight out of the box. Now we have to transfer everything to racing. If we get that right, I have no doubts
we will be competitive and achieve the appropriate results.”

With its hybrid powered Le Mans Prototype (LMP1), the Porsche Team enters the most innovative race car in the field and has set high goals for the remaining five rounds of the World Championship.

“Park Place Porsche is proud to have a team running in Austin this weekend,” said Patrick Huston, Park Place Porsche general manager. “Park Place Porsche has been active in racing for years. While we sponsor a professional team, we also work hand-in-hand with clients who have an interest in building a competitive car and learning how to handle it on the track.”

Following are some facts and figures about Porsche’s entries in the upcoming COTA race:

COTA’s length is 5.513 kilometers (3.427 miles.) One lap features nine right-hand turns and 11 left-handers. The circuit, designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, has 40 meters difference in altitude and is run counter-clockwise. The longest straight-away is 1.2 kilometers (about ¾ of one mile.)
In 2013, the race winner completed 187 laps (1,030.93 kilometers or 640.59 miles) in six hours. Over this distance each of the two Porsche 919 Hybrid cars would generate and utilize 195 kilowatt hours (kWh) – an amount of electrical power that would light a 60-Watt incandescent light bulb for almost 20 weeks.
In normal racing mode (without any safety car periods), the Porsche 919 Hybrid must refuel every 31 laps. This would mean five pit stops for refueling per car. Two fuel tank fills (62 laps) with one set of the Michelin race tires is the Porsche Team’s target for COTA.
29 cars total are on the entry list for the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Nine of them compete in the LMP1 category alongside the Porsche 919 Hybrid cars. The Porsche car numbers, 20 and 14, stand for the year of Porsche’s return to top-level motorsport.
The Porsche Team shipped 35 tons of airfreight on the world tour. The majority of the freight travels from Austin straight to Fuji, to Shanghai, to Sakhir and then to the final race in Sao Paulo. The equipment includes two race cars, one spare chassis, four engines, four gearboxes, three suspension sets, 100 rims, 120 radios and headsets, about 400 meters of electric and IT cables, four tool cabinets and 30 fireproof overalls and helmets for the team.
In the WEC standings after three out of eight races, the Porsche Team with 60 points is currently third behind Toyota (115) and Audi (114). In Le Mans, double points were awarded.
With these two LMP1 cars, the Porsche 911 RSRs from the GT categories of the WEC and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (USCC), there are a total of seven Porsche racecars running in Austin.

Park Place Porsche is located at 5113 Lemmon Avenue, near Love Field Airport, in Dallas.

September 11, 2014November 1, 2019

Jaguar XE World Premier At London’s Earls Court

The Jaguar XE has been revealed to the world at an event held at Earl’s Court, London.

A true driver’s car, the Jaguar XE redefines the concept of the sports sedan thanks to its advanced lightweight construction, streamlined styling, luxurious interior, and outstanding ride and handling. The XE goes on sale in 2015 in Global Markets and in 2016 in North America. The high-performance S model will be at the top of the global line-up at launch in 2015.

The Jaguar XE S provides responsiveness and refinement from a supercharged 3.0-liter V6. Generating 340hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, this engine is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls. Accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, the XE S has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph1.

The aluminum-intensive Jaguar XE is the first model developed from the new JLR modular vehicle architecture. The long wheelbase and low seating position enable perfect proportions and a streamlined, coupe-like profile. The S model’s large front air intakes, chrome side vents, discreet rear spoiler and optional 20-inch forged alloy wheels reinforce its’ performance potential.

The cabin offers outstanding levels of comfort and spaciousness. Exquisite materials and finishes, combined with traditional Jaguar craftsmanship make this an interior without compare.

The Jaguar XE will be the first Jaguar to be equipped with electric power steering. This system is tuned to provide responsiveness and excellent feel, and offers improved efficiency over hydraulic systems.

The aluminum-intensive Jaguar XE is manufactured at an all-new facility at the Jaguar Land Rover Solihull plant. Part of a £1.5bn GBP investment, this highly flexible, manufacturing site will create 1,700 jobs.

The XE completes the Jaguar sedan range sitting below the XF and XJ models.

Compelling design

The Jaguar XE was developed in parallel with the new modular architecture. The architecture unlocks design possibilities that did not exist before because the core dimensions were determined by design and engineering working together from the very beginning, under a philosophy of ‘anything we can imagine, we can create.

This makes it possible to realize perfect proportions: short front and rear overhangs and dynamic, cab-rearward stance. The architecture also enables the XE to feature both a low, sporty driving position and a sleek, coupe-like profile.

The strongly-sculpted hood creates a taut, muscular appearance. The rising waistline adds to the sense of movement, while the form of the rear quarters takes inspiration from the F-TYPE Coupe. The signature J-Blade daytime running lights are a recognizable Jaguar design element. In the rear lights, a horizontal line intersecting a circle is a powerful styling feature inherited from the iconic E-Type.

Jaguar has a rich history of producing stunning, aerodynamically-efficient cars. The new Jaguar XE continues the tradition of uncompromised form and function: its streamlined shape has a low drag coefficient of 0.26. This achievement is the result of 1,200 computational fluid dynamics simulations and million hours of processor time.

“Our mission was to create an exciting and dynamic design clearly reflecting the XE positioning as a serious driver’s car. The cab-rearward proportions and tight packaging achieve that and give the XE the appearance of movement even when it’s standing still. It bears a strong family resemblance to the F-TYPE and will stand apart in the crowd.”
– Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design

The spacious cabin cocoons front seat passengers with a deep center console which creates a cockpit-like feel. The F-TYPE-style instrument panel dials and the cluster needle sweep on start-up further emphasize the sports sedan attributes of the Jaguar XE.

Front and rear seat occupants enjoy generous amounts of head and legroom – the XE proves that sleek, streamlined styling and interior space need not be mutually exclusive; fine-grain leathers and details such as contrasting twin-needle stitching give the cabin a bespoke quality. The choice of gloss black, textured aluminum, and contemporary wood veneers enhance the luxurious, hand-crafted feel. Available ambient lighting in a range of up to 10 colors adds to the sense of occasion.

Aluminum-intensive unibody

Jaguar is highly experienced in the use of aluminum construction. The expertise in working with this lightweight material has culminated in the revolutionary body structure of the new Jaguar XE. It is the first model designed around this all-new modular architecture.

Much of the aluminum is high-strength, 6000-series alloy. The body sides are a perfect example: these complex pressings are formed in one piece, and what would once have been 1.5mm gauge sheet has been reduced to just 1.1mm.

Sustainability is a big part of the Jaguar aluminum story. Recycling this highly valuable material delivers impressive savings in overall CO2 emissions and the new XE uses RC 5754 – an aluminum alloy made predominantly from recycled material. Future models will also use RC 5754 and this breakthrough will help Jaguar towards its goal of using 75 percent recycled material by 2020. The use of recycled aluminum reduces demand for primary aluminum, saving energy.

Riveting and bonding the lightweight body structure of the Jaguar XE consumes less energy than traditional spot welding. The XE also contains 101lbs. of recycled plastics and renewable materials, further reducing its environmental impact.

“The XE is as strong and light as it could possibly be thanks to exhaustive analysis and by bringing the latest engineering techniques to bear on its design. It has been challenging to accomplish but the XE structure is absolutely at the cutting edge of what is achievable today.”

– Dr. Mark White, Chief Technical Specialist, Jaguar; Body Complete

Chassis

The new Jaguar XE features a sophisticated double wishbone front suspension. The aluminum front spindles are light and stiff – forged from cast blanks using a patented production process while the rear suspension features an integral link system. This system delivers lateral and longitudinal stiffness for precise handling and a supple ride. Aluminum has been used extensively in the suspension, minimizing weight.

Offering incredible tuning possibilities and greater efficiency than traditional hydraulic systems, electric power steering (EPAS) will be standard on the XE.

Powertrain

For customers demanding ultimate performance and an exhilarating engine note from idle right up to the redline there’s the Jaguar XE S, which shares its supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with the acclaimed F-TYPE.

Direct injection and fully variable valve timing optimize power and torque throughout the rev range. The 90 degree cylinder bank angle provides space for the twin-vortex Roots-type supercharger, a balancer shaft ensures the engine runs smoothly.

Developing 340hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, the V6 provides the Jaguar XE S with exceptional performance: 0-60 mph takes just 4.9 seconds, and top speed is electronically-limited to 155 mph1.

The Jaguar XE will also receive the new family of Ingenium engines. This advanced in-house modular design began from a clean sheet and will be manufactured at the new JLR Engine Manufacturing Center near Wolverhampton in the UK.

Proven over 2 million miles of real-world testing, Ingenium is the future of the low-CO2 powertrain strategy at Jaguar and is engineered to deliver fuel efficiency, refinement and performance.

The Jaguar XE will be offered with a lighter version of the ZF 8-speed automatic used in the rest of the Jaguar range: this benchmark eight-speed transmission is controlled using the Jaguar rotary shifter and steering wheel shift paddles.

Active Safety and Driver Assistance features

The new light and stiff body structure of the Jaguar XE has been engineered to meet demanding legislative and consumer crash test requirements. Complementing the outstanding levels of protection it offers is a suite of advanced driver assistance systems designed to help and support the driver.

The Jaguar XE will be equipped with All Surface Progress Control (ASPC)2. This all-new system, developed with the input of decades of Jaguar Land Rover experience in off-road traction systems, works like a low-speed cruise control. Functioning between 2 mph and 19 mph, ASPC is designed to precisely control the brake system and powertrain to deliver optimum traction in slippery conditions.

Projecting high-contrast color images onto the windshield, the optional laser heads-up display (HUD) technology provides the driver with information such as speed and navigation instructions.

Jaguar is one of the first manufacturers in the segment to use stereo camera technology. When fitted, this sensor is the ‘eyes’ of the optional autonomous emergency braking system for the Jaguar XE, providing measurements of speed and distance of objects ahead, and can initiate full braking to avoid or mitigate a collision. The stereo camera also performs traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning functions as part of the autonomous emergency braking system package2.

The XE also offers systems such as adaptive cruise control, closing vehicle sensing, blind spot monitoring, semi-automated parallel and perpendicular parking, and reverse traffic detection2.

All-new infotainment system

The all-new Jaguar InControl® infotainment system offered on the XE provides the latest technologies to connect the car, driver and the outside world. At its heart is an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen featuring a clear, intuitive interface and fast response times3.

InControl Touch® supports Bluetooth®, audio streaming and USB connectivity. The Jaguar XE can also be fitted with an SD card-based navigation system which allows easy upgrades of map data, and voice control using plain speech gives access to any level of the system, without navigating through menus, so drivers can keep their eyes on the road3. Both systems feature a user-friendly map which can be utilized by touch and directed by pinch-to-zoom.

Smartphones are changing the way people interact with the world around them and the new Jaguar XE ensures that drivers can stay connected. Jaguar InControl Apps® allows users to seamlessly access and control smartphone apps through the vehicle’s touchscreen3. With a subscribed data plan, the Jaguar XE can also function as a Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling multiple devices to connect to the internet.

Jaguar InControl Remote® functionality allows users of iOS® and Android™ smartphones to connect to the car remotely to control car functions. These include seven-day timed pre-setting of the vehicle’s climate control system, locking or unlocking the doors, or remote starting of the engine.

The new Jaguar XE will be available with a range of Meridian™ audio systems. These superb systems are the latest product of the long-standing partnership between Jaguar and British audio experts Meridian. Unique algorithms guarantee the best possible sound reproduction and tailor the experience to the interior’s acoustics. Available systems range from 250 watt, 11-speaker systems to 825 watt, 15-speaker systems, both equipped with stereo and surround sound processors.

Detail of the Jaguar XE North American model line will be announced closer to the vehicles launch in 2016.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS*

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engine capacity (cc)	2,995
Cylinders	6
Valves per cylinder	4
Bore / stroke inches (mm)	3.3 / 3.5 (84.5 / 89.0)
Cylinder block	Aluminum alloy
Cylinder heads	Aluminum alloy
Fuel injection equipment	150bar spray-guided direct injection
Induction system	Twin-Vortex supercharger
Transmission	ZF 8HP45 8-speed automatic
PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph (sec)	4.9
0-100km/h (sec)	5.1
Top speed mph (km/h)	155 (250)
Horsepower	340 @ 6,500rpm
Torque lb ft (Nm)	332 (450) @ 4,500rpm
DIMENSIONS
Length inches (mm)	183.9 (4,672)
Width excl. mirrors inches (mm)	72.8 (1,850)
Height inches (mm)	55.7 (1,416)
Wheelbase inches (mm)	111.6 (2,835)
Curb weight lbs (kg)	From 3,249 (1,474)

*Manufacturers estimated figures for UK specific models at time of going to press. Subject to final confirmation ahead of production.

1Always follow local speed limits.

2 These features are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc. Driver should not assume that these features will correct errors of judgment in driving. Please consult the owner’s manual or your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for more details.

3 Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Do not operate, adjust or view the navigation or multimedia systems under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Only use mobile phones, and other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so.

July 18, 2014May 7, 2015

McLaren MSO 650S Concept Moving To Production; Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The McLaren MSO 650S was originally just a concept released in April, but after an overwhelming response McLaren has decided to produce a limited 50 Coupes and Spiders. The car debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Festival of Speed as it is referred to in the United Kingdom is an annual hill climb featuring historic motor racing vehicles that is held in the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex, England.

The production model of the MSO 650S carries over many of the elements found in the Concept. Frank Stephenson, McLaren’s Design Director, has made many more changes including a number of carbon fiber styling upgrades, a three-piece rear bumper with carbon fiber center section and a more aggressive rear diffuser.

The MSO Concept came in Agrigan Black, but the production version will be available in ‘Papaya Spark (a take on McLaren orange), Sarigan Quartz (new metallic silver with gold infusion) and the Agrigan Black of the concept.

The body upgrades and special paint finishes are set off with a set of Palladium 10-Spoke super lightweight alloys with a diamond cut effect on the inside edge of the spokes and kept in place with titanium wheel nuts.

Inside, the MSO 650S gets black leather and Alcantara, with carbon fiber accents gloss black vents, a carbon fiber ‘MSO’ sill panel and a dedication plaque noting the limited edition. Each example will ship with a Frank Stephenson-signed sketch and an MSO-branded “holdall,” similar to a leather dufflebag in the United States.

July 18, 2014May 7, 2015

Bentley Returns to Racing Roots with the Continental GT3-R

Many people do not think of racing when they first think of the Bentley brand. The words aviation, luxury, class and quality all resonate closely to the Bentley brand, but few individuals know that the roots of Bentley are on the track. In early days of Bentley from 1923-1930, they dominated the automobile racing world. Originally started with a group of gentlemen that went by the name “Bentley Boys”, these men were socialites that owned Bentleys and wanted to race them. They weren’t professional drivers. For the most part, they were just men who had fast cars they loved and wanted to see just how hard they could push their vehicles. Bentley has a total of 8 Le Mans titles and many other accolades in the racing world. For a breakdown of Bentley racing history check out the video below.

The new GT3-R is meant to draw inspiration and motivation from those prestigious roots in the racing world. With the company trying to channel the spirit of the Bentley boys to its modern day customers by pilling horsepower and technology into the new Bentley Continental GT3 R. As one of the hottest Bentley units ever produced, the Continental GT3-R, was officially presented to the public during the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The model in question will enter a limited production of just 300 units, and all of them will be hand built in Crewe, United Kingdom, and finished by the company’s motorsport department. All units of the Bentley Continental GT3-R will be finished in Glacier White paint with two-tone green graphics, on its side profile, which will help differentiate it. The GT3-R will be a rare beast, too, conveniently timed to coincide with Bentley’s recent success at the second round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Silverstone – taking a win in the first UK race for the company in 84 years. With Bentley’s race-proven 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, this two-seat, performance-focused Grand Tourer rockets from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. This makes the Continental GT3-R the fastest-accelerating Bentley ever.

“The experience of driving a Continental GT3-R is awe-inspiring, and takes the dynamic abilities of our Grand Tourer to new heights,” said Wolfgang Durheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors. “We were inspired to create something extremely special for the road by the performance of our Continental GT3. It is a celebration of the Bentley passion for building outstanding drivers’ cars. To be a true Bentley, the GT3-R had to be the most luxurious track-inspired Grand Tourer ever, and this car pushes our trademark combination of luxury and performance to a new level.”

If one of these beastly Bentleys moves you, then come by Park Place Bentley Dallas to inquire about availability of the Continental GT3 R and all other Bentley models.

June 24, 2014May 7, 2015

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Receives IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Rating

After being tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was added it to its relatively small list of cars that are rated as a Top Safety Pick+. Only one other Mercedes, ML-Class, has received the designation of being a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The IIHS points out that only cars built after January 2014 are considered a Top Safety Pick+ due to improvements made to better perform in the small overlap front test. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class earned a “Good” rating in the test, with the highest marks possible for head/neck, chest, and hip/thigh protection. To earn “+” designation, a car’s active front crash prevention system must also achieve a “basic,” “advanced,” or “superior” rating. With only a standard forward collision warning system, called Collision Prevention Assist, the E-Class earns a basic rating for front crash prevention. But, when equipped with the optional Pre-Safe Brake system, the E-Class earns a superior rating for front crash prevention. In the test the 2014 E-Class, when equipped with the optional Driver Assistance Package, grabbed the “superior” rating after earning the highest points possible for forward collision warning and low (12 mph) and high-speed (25 mph) auto brake. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is revising its collision avoidance system rating for model year 2015 cars, requiring an “advanced” rating or higher in order to be considered a Top Safety Pick+. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the fourth large luxury car to earn the institute’s highest rating. To qualify for Top Safety Pick+ a vehicle must earn a good or acceptable rating for small overlap protection, a good rating in the Institute’s other four tests and a basic, advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.

June 23, 2014May 7, 2015

Maserati: A Sports Car Perfectly Crafted for Fort Worth

Do you ever wonder what it feels like to make it? It is that sudden sense that everything is in order, like all the stars aligned for you at that moment in time. Many people search all their life for that feeling. When you sit behind the wheel of the 2014 Maserati GranTurismo and you push “start”, the sudden purr of the hand crafted Italian V8 engine immediately summons the goose bumps to cover your skin. You get that feeling, that “wow, Mom, look I made it” feeling.

I got the privilege to find myself behind the wheel of one the other day along with getting the chance to explore a city that was so close to home yet felt far away, Fort Worth. As I drove the new 2014 Maserati Ghibli through the streets of Fort Worth’s iconic stockyards while having longhorns and beautiful stallions prance beside me it felt oddly fitting. To have this masterpiece from the Mediterranean rolling around the streets of a place where the Wild West is forever incarnate from the millions of hoofs and horse shoes that have galloped along those very streets. Fort Worth is a city that’s not flashy, it isn’t a place that screams glamor but at the same time it has this wonderful nostalgia that roams the streets. From the Kimble to Will Rodgers hall to 7^th street and the river everything about the city just seems to make you feel welcomed and warm.

Maybe it’s the Texas charm and being born and raised in Dallas that is something I know quite a lot about but the charm coming from the people and places in Fort Worth has a different ring to it. It is almost as if the there is an extra added hint of humbleness to the already overstated Texas sized pride we all take on from being a part of this state.

That same feeling of humble excellence is the feeling you get when you take a Maserati over the Trinity River Bridge. It gives you a soft simile like you are getting a pat on the back for a long day’s hard work .The Maserati and Fort Worth have an almost Yin-Yang way of meshing together perfectly. The combination together perfectly defines this image of cow town luxury and as you turn the corner to receive a gentle tip of the cowboy hat from the man on his horse toward you in the pearl white Italian sports car you just know that this is the place where an automobile like this belongs.

Driving around a masterpiece of machinery like the 2014 Maserati GranTurismo or its four door counterparts the 2014 Quattroporte and the 2014 Ghibli is an experience that’s words sometimes fail to do justice to but I tried to do my best. Although if my words did not seem to be sufficient then I urge you to go check out the brand new Park Place Maserati Fort Worth and see what it feels like for yourself.

June 19, 2014May 7, 2015

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive: The Future of the Super Car is Here and it Doesn’t Make a Sound.

Everyone always wonders what the future will be like, from small children drawing space ships to grown adults that construct Sci-Fi blockbusters, everyone wants to know what the future has in store. When it comes to modes of transportation in the future, the ideas of teleportation, personal space crafts or flying cars are always among the first to be thrown into the mix, but the visionaries at Mercedes-Benz seem to have a slightly different idea and for the much more immediate future.

With ground breaking technology that involves massive amounts of electrically generated torque by four contact permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors that spin to 13,000 rpm and through a axially arranged transmission, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric is the world’s first fully electric supercar.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive turns out with 750 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, with all the twist obtainable from a standstill. The super car manages to do it all while having zero carbon emissions at a sticker price of $538,000. In comparison, the new-for-2014 petroleum-powered SLS AMG GT churns out 583 hp and 489 lb-ft. Mercedes-Benz asserts that the electrified SLS will hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds before topping out at an electronically limited 155. The vehicles might look the same on the outside but under their shells the cars are totally different animals.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive set a new speed record for a production electric car at the Nurburgring; the electric AMG super sports car mastered the legendary track in under 8 minutes. “Mercedes-AMG is the first vehicle manufacturer which makes it possible to circle the Nordschleife in less than eight minutes with an electrically powered series production vehicle,” said the automaker in a statement.

With three driving modes: comfort, sport and sport plus the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive is a piece of technology that can satisfy any driver. At a top speed of 155 mph in sport plus mode the car is still as quiet as a collegiate library during the summer time. With the gas pedal on the floor-board, breaking records at the world’s trickiest race tracks, the loudest noises are the fans blowing cool air on your face as beads of adrenaline fueled sweat roll down your face from sitting in the driver seat of the car of the future. While emissions level requirements are being raised all around the globe and there being a global emphasis on protecting/preserving our environment, this rechargeable masterpiece is the perfect answer to the question of whether not the super car can survive in such conditions.