HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
(Ford images)
The all-new 2017 Ford GT will be available in a limited-edition Heritage livery honoring the No. 2 GT40 Mark II driven to victory by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. The car - which will be only available in 2017 - features a Shadow Black exterior in either gloss or matte finish with silver stripes and exposed carbon fiber package. The car sports No. 2 hood and door graphics in Frozen White, and 20-inch one-piece forged aluminum wheels in a gold satin clearcoat with black lug nuts. The interior wraps the Ford GT carbon-fiber seats in Ebony leather, with pillowed inserts and plow-through stitching, and the seats’ head restraints and the steering wheel are debossed with the Ford GT logo. The instrument panel, pillars and headliner also features an Ebony-leather wrap, with gold appliqués on the instrument panel, the seat’s X-brace and shift paddles. Like the 1966 race car, the steering wheel is leather wrapped, with seat belts featuring a unique blue webbing. Included with the ’66 Heritage Edition Ford GT are a unique serialized identification plate, the No. 2 interior door graphic, and exposed matte carbon fiber door sills, air register pods and center console. Garen Nicoghosian, exterior design manager for the car, says the team set out to highlight where it all started with the Ford GT. “While the looks are distinctly based on the GT40 Mark II race car,” he says, “we’ve accentuated new styling cues to provide a modern interpretation.” Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, product development, and chief technical officer adds: “Celebrating the anniversary of Ford’s historic victories at Le Mans has always been a part of the return of the Ford GT. The 2017 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition is a stunning tribute to the car that kicked off Ford’s string of Le Mans victories in 1966.”
(Porsche images)
This is the new Porsche Panamera, which the company revealed in Berlin. It is sleeker, lighter, more fuel-efficient and quicker. It's also much better looking. (It's still too big and too heavy, but...) “We have tapped into the segment of luxury sport saloons with the Panamera. Since it launched in 2009, more than 150,000 units of the Panamera have been sold. In the new model, you see here a completely redeveloped automobile – with new engines, a new design and new technologies,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. The new Panamera arrives here early next year.
(Mercedes-Benz images)
Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the new AMG GT R, a front-mid-engine concept with a 577HP V8 Biturbo engine, a transaxle, extensively modified suspension, new aerodynamics and lightweight construction. The exclusive "AMG Green Hell Magno" special paintwork reflects that the machine spent most of its development time in the "Green Hell" of the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife racetrack. Other stuff? Wider front and rear fenders, a new front fascia with active elements, a large rear aerofoil and a new rear fascia with double diffuser for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency and optimum grip. The lightweight forged wheels are equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Cup tires (275/35 ZR 19 front, 325/30 ZR 20 rear) as standard. Plus active rear-wheel steering, nine-way adjustable traction control system and adjustable coil-over suspension with additional electronic control. And finally, the new AMG "Panamericana" grille which debuted on the Mercedes-AMG GT3 customer-sport racing car appears on an AMG production vehicle for the first time. The car is expected to arrive in U.S. dealers by mid- 2017.
Seeing Red.
I've made no secret of the fact that the Audi S3 and the VW GTI are two of my most favorite cars out of the VW Group. Yes, there are Porsche and Audi models far above them in price and performance - and desirability - but for day in and day out ownership, the S3 and GTI are very hard to beat. Note that our "Quick Take" isn't a 2017 model S3, but all the ingredients that make the S3 so attractive to enthusiasts are present and accounted for, including terrifically responsive power, aggressive suspension and handling and a beautifully turned out interior. This is Audi's compact car pumped-up and tuned-up, and it delivers an engaging driving experience that bears repeating, again and again. Some might think the S3 suspension is too aggressive for less than optimal roads (especially around these parts), but if you want this kind of car that shouldn't be an issue. It's just flat-out fun to drive from the get-go and its appeal is enduring. It's an interesting juxtaposition to the the new 2017 Audi A4 we had a couple of weeks ago, which I found to be highly sophisticated. That car has come a long way, with a level of execution that is indeed very impressive. But the S3's charm is in its raw persona and on-tap aggressive performance. I'm happy there are cars like this still being built. -PMD
2016 Audi S3 Sedan 2.0T quattro S tronic: $49,950 (as reviewed). $42,500 Base Price; Misano Red Pearl Effect; Black Interior; 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder with 292HP and 280 lbs-ft of torque; quattro all-wheel-drive system; Six-speed S tronic transmission; 18" 5-parallel-spoke-design wheels with 235/40 summer tires; Progressive power steering; Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS); Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake assist; Ventilated front (13.4") and ventilated rear (12.2") disc brakes; Anti-lock brake system (ABS) with brake assist; Temporary, compact spare tire; Panoramic sunroof with retractable shunshade; Audi xenon plus headlights with LED DRLs; Rain and light sensor; Heated power adjustable exterior mirrors; Heated 8 -way power front sport seats; Leather seating surfaces; Dual-zone automatic climate control; Three-spoke, leather-wrapped, multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles; Audi parking system plus with rearview camera; Audi sound system; AM/FM/SAT/1CD audio with SD card reader; Audi music interface with iPod cable; SIRIUS Satellite radio (with three-month complimentary subscription); Preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth); Driver information system; S3 technology Package - 1CD/DVD player with HD radio, Audi MMI Navigation plus with voice control, Audi MMI touch, Audi connect with online services (six-month subscription), Audi side assist - $2,600; 19" performance Package - 5-double spoke Star design wheels, anthracite polished, summer tires, Audi magnetic ride - $1,500; S Sport Seat package, $1,450; Red brake calipers, $400; Front filler panel; Destination charge, $925.
Adherence to Brand Image: The least expensive "S" car from Audi is a driver's machine through and through. As far as brand image is concerned, it's Audi to the core, and within that context it's dead solid perfect. -PMD