Cars

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

The legendary Porsche Cayenne Turbo returns for the 2011 model year; everyone’s favorite “love it or hate it” SUV has come back for an encore. After its 2002 unveiling and subsequent 7 year production run, including a mid-cycle mild refresh, the Cayenne has sold like hotcakes allowing Porsche to focus on its core products (i.e. the 911 range). Obviously, acceptance for a Porsche SUV has gained some ground ironically causing Porsche to soften the most utility attributes out of the venerable SUV.

For 2011, the Cayenne Turbo model offers a carry-over engine choice from 2010 matching the 500 HP from the 4.8L V8. However, new for 2011 is a 23% increase in fuel economy thanks largely to the 8-speed transmission built to replace lowest of ranges of a transfer case. Porsche claims the 8-speed slush box offers substantial weight savings and is capable of propelling the 2011 Cayenne Turbo to 60 MPH in 4.4 seconds, though Porsche performance figures are usually conservative.

Today’s eBay Find is a 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo finished in silver with sport bucket seats wrapped in black leather throughout. Not much else is known about this Cayenne other than its one of the first, if not _the_ first 2011 Cayenne on eBay. With only 8 miles on the odometer and located in Bend, Oregon bidding for this truck starts at $121,850 but thats a small price to pay to be the first on your block with the shiniest of Cayennes!

[wordbay](2010, 2011) cayenne (gts, turbo)[/wordbay]

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The new super sports car from Mercedes-Benz and AMG dazzles with its unparalleled technology collection: an aluminum space-frame bodyshell with gullwing doors; an AMG 6.3-liter, front-mid V8 engine with a top force of 563 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque, and dry sump lubrication; seven-speed dual-clutch in a transaxle design; a sports chassis with aluminum double-wishbone suspension; and a curb weight of 3,573 pounds. It’s a combination that guarantees dominant handling mechanics. The car’s ideal weight arrangement between the fore and aft axles (47 to 53 pct respectively) and its low point of gravity punctuate the striking sports car concept. The Gullwing shaped car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a maximum velocity of 196 mph (electronically restricted).

The identifiable figure of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dazzles with its lustful sportiness and reinterprets the exciting design of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, one of the brightest arrangements of the Mercedes-Benz marque. With its undiluted organisation, the new SLS AMG reflects the teachings of modern sports car design: The nearly 6-foot-long bonnet, the low glass positioned far backward, and the abbreviated backside with the long rear spoiler represent dynamism, as do the abundant wheelbase, the wide track, and the ample wide wheels. The proportions are set by the stubby overhangs and the design of the super car, with a low-slung, front-mid engine mounted substantially backwards and a dual-clutch transmission in a transaxle configuration. The stylistic detail is without question the gullwing doors, which bestow the SLS AMG with unequaled attractiveness and make an uncomparable statement in this vehicle segment.

Edmunds (Review)
Left Lane (First Drive)
Motor Trend (First Drive)
MSN Autos UK (First Drive)
UK Telegragh (Review)
Jalopnik (First Drive)

2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Rolls-Royce has had a glorious past, as have many car companies have, including building airplane engines and owned its most serious competitor (Bentley) several times. But when Rolls-Royce itself was bought by BMW, things changed. The 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom was the first “all new” car Rolls-Royce produced. Engines were sourced from the corporate overlords at BMW and that sumpuous 6.75L V12 was the lone part. The leather work, wood work, and finishing is done in a new factory to celebrate the new brand. That was 2003.

New for 2010 is the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the “Rolls to drive” some say. The Ghost is smaller in most dimenions than the Phantom but shares only 20% parts with its corporate cousin, the BMW 7-series. A large part of that percentage is the 6.6 L twin-turbo V12 rated at 563 BHP and mated to an 8-speed automatic. That’s enough power to propel this 5,455 lb luxury estate to 60 in less than 5 seconds on to an electronically limited maximum velocity of 155 MPH.

Today’s car is a Ghost finished in Diamond Black exterior paint and black leather from the same assembly line that does the Phantom. Some features include a panorama sunroof, comfort entry system, front massaging and ventilated seats, picnic tables and a camera system. This particular Rolls-Royce has 600 miles on the clock and is currently located in New Orleans. Click thru the link to contact the seller, schedule a test drive, make an offer or just gander at the over twenty images.

2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

The Lamborghini Gallardo has had no shortage of variants over its 8-year production life, it was introduced as the ‘affordable’ Lamborghini for the “new money” types. The Gallardo quickly proved a popular seller and 5 years after its introduction the first Superleggera was introduced as the track-day version of the popular sports car. For the 2007-08 model year, the first Gallardo Superleggera came standard with the base models E-gear automated-manual transmission, was lighter by 150 lbs and offered a 10 hp gain over the base model.

For 2011, the fine folks of Sant’Agata Bolognese have topped their (previously) top-of-the-line LP-560-4 by 10 hp “added lightness” by 158 lbs, besting the original Gallardo Superleggera. Surprisingly, according to those who reviewed it, ride quality has not been sacrificed. For the die-hard enthusiasts or those looking to track the Superleggera 570-4 can opt for the radio to be deleted. However, for comfort’s sake, air-conditioning and power windows remain standard and cannot be removed from the window-sticker.

Car and Driver (First Drive, Second Drive)
Inside Line (First Drive)
Automobile Magazine (Review)
Motor Trend (First Drive)
Popular Mechanics (Test Drive)
Road and Track (Review)

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

The Raptor SVT by Ford was originally engineered as a test bed for Ford’s “Hurricane” V8 and was Ford’s first truck built primarily to go off-road (in its 100+ year history no less). While Ford has always celebrated the success of the many other models of F150 no one knew the Raptor SVT would become so popular, garnering over 5000 orders in its first year of production alone quickly surpassing the last SVT truck, the 1999 Lightening SVT. However, the Raptor SVT was released before the Hurricane V8 was available for road use. That is until now.

After much ado, a whirlwind from the Rumor Mill, repeated “spy shots” and to the chagrin of early adopters Ford has finally come to market with the F-150 Raptor SVT 6.2 fuel hog. This (optional) engine pumps out 411 HP and over 430 Ft/Lb’s of torque in SVT trim and shaves almost a second off the truck’s already stellar (for its weight, calm down) 0-60 run. Still only avalble (for the time being at least) in extended-cab form, Ford’s betting the SVT suspension and body work combined with the new engine make a fantastic couple.

• Automobile Mag (Review)
• Car and Driver (First Drive)
• Motor Trend (First Drive)
• Popular Mechanics (Test Drive)
• Four Wheeler (Review)
• Edmunds (First Drive)
• Autoblog (blog, First Drive)