2017 Porsche Panamera revealed: It’s finally pretty

Things are looking up for the Porsche Panamera. Dynamically, it’s always been good – fast, comfortable, and much more spacious than something like a 911 – but the general consensus is that the first-gen Panamera’s styling was, shall we say, less successful. All that changes for the second-generation car. Despite being longer, wider, and taller than before, it’s much more attractive, with a lower roofline that sweeps back toward the rear haunches with a pleasing arc.

There’s a clear styling link to Porsche’s mainstay, the 911. The new Panamera’s body is made mostly from aluminum, minus some high-strength steel and the optional large, panoramic roof overhead. LED lighting elements front and rear look suitably up-to-date, especially the interconnected design of the taillights. Wheels range from 19 inches to 21, with 20s standard on the Turbo.

Porsche isn’t just recalling its current sports car with the new Panamera. The central tachometer is designed to evoke the one in the 1955 356 A, more colloquially known as the Speedster. Beside that one analog throwback, however, the latest Panamera is fully modern and technologically advanced. Two seven-inch screens flank the tach, and the Porsche Advanced Cockpit includes a 12.3-inch tablet-like touchscreen in front of the driver. Apple CarPlay is available, but there’s no mention of Android Auto. A new thermal imaging camera makes it easier to see in the dark.

A completely new range of engines powers the second-gen Panamera, starting with a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 that puts out 440 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. In the Panamera 4S, that’s enough to launch the saloon to 60 in 4.4 seconds (4.2 with the optional Sport Chrono Package) and to hit a top speed of 180 miles per hour. The Panamera Turbo boasts a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 with 550 hp and 567 lb-ft. The 0–60 run takes just 3.6 seconds (3.4 with Sport Chrono) and the top speed is 190 mph. Both the 4S and the Turbo come with standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Much of the chassis tech from the last Panamera is carried over, including Porsche Active Suspension Management, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, and active roll stabilization. The available active air suspension has been updated with a three-chamber design. The 2017 model adds rear-wheel steering as an option, borrowed from the 911 line. All of this adds up to a handily quicker car; Porsche is claiming the car in the video below set the (unofficial) Nürburgring record for a production sedan, lapping the Nordschleife 14 seconds quicker than the outgoing model.

Expect to see the 2017 Porsche Panamera hit dealers in January of 2017. Base price for the 4S is $101,040. The Turbo begins at $147,950 and will surely rise quickly from there.

Source: https://goo.gl/J2lXIB

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New-car buying 101: Avoid the hassle

More than a century since cars became accessible to the working class, car buyers often remain wary of buying a new or pre-owned vehicle. With today’s available resources (including this site) there are fewer reasons for it to be difficult, even for those completely new to the process or who know it but have contempt for it.

Each passing day brings new information to the consumer, along with relative enlightenment (believe it…or not) in the automotive industry. Here, then, are some are recommended steps to make your next automotive purchase as painless as possible.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT: The available choices in makes and models can be dizzying, so it’s important to narrow your choices. Evaluate your actual needs and wants, limit yourself to what you can afford (a loan officer can help), and see what fits your needs and your budget. Winnow down to two or three preferred brands or models that fit your criteria. Read independent reviews from sites such as Consumer Reports and Autoblog. And it’s valid to ask a friend or co-worker who owns your preferred model for feedback.

IDENTIFY A DEALER: Even with vastly improved quality and reliability, you still need the occasional dealer visit for service and repairs, especially during the warranty period. So pick a convenient dealership that is close to your work, home or daily route.

BUILD YOUR OWN: You still haven’t taken a demo drive, and driving before you buy remains one of the tenets of car buying. But start online using the ‘Build Your Own” tool available from most manufacturer websites and navigable through Autoblog’s ownership window. Once you’ve selected the model, trim level, colors, options and accessories, most sites will also supply a loan calculator (as does Autoblog) to help determine if your preference is available and affordable. Print out the build sheet and also store it digitally, to share with prospective dealers when soliciting a bid.

DRIVE BEFORE YOU BUY: A road test is essential and should be more than a 10-minute around-the-block tour outlined by your dealer. Choose a route that reflects the type of driving you’ll actually do. If the vehicle has more than one powertrain option (and both are affordable) you should drive both – a base powertrain may be perfectly adequate or woefully weak. Fuel economy should be top-of-mind but shouldn’t come at the expense of acceleration or a fatiguing drone at highway speeds.

PUT YOUR PURCHASE OUT FOR BIDS: Virtually every dealer has an online center for those not wanting to endure the back-and-forth of a showroom negotiation. Autoblog provides two variations of an online purchase via their Smart Buy and Get-A-Quote processes. The first is a true “no hassle” quote, while the second represents a purchase range, allowing some fine tuning between you and the seller. And we’d add this: If, in taking a demo drive or drives at the dealership (which is the only way to obtain that drive, short of a rental), know you’ve taken the time of a sales representative working – in most instances – on a straight commission. If going the online, get-a-bid route, make one of your solicitations for that bid to the dealership where you obtained the demo, and indicate clearly the name of the sale person you dealt with.

MAKE A DECISION! You’ve now selected the vehicle type, brand and model, driven the cars or trucks you most want and obtained your cost quote. Now it’s time to weigh both the tangible and intangible aspects of your purchase. Tangible, of course, is the vehicle and its purchase price, while the intangibles are things like dealership location and its reputation. Even those vehicles with sterling reputations for reliability and longevity will inevitably need something. If you purchase from a dealer with a reputation for taking care of its customers, you’ll be taking the final step in a hassle-free approach

Source: https://goo.gl/mrLrtv

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Full marks for the BMW 5 Series?

Driving wise, you’re not going to going to find much better in this class.

What do you do when you need a pair of sunglasses? You head to a Ray Ban stockist. And what happens when you need a new pair of boots, you inquire at Berluti. So who do you go to if you’re in the market for a top-of-the-range midsize executive saloon; straight to BMW to have a look over their new 5 Series.

Obviously these dream scenarios are out of reach for many of us, but it illustrates how synonymous the brand and model is with a particular lifestyle and market segment. For some there is only one answer when these questions arise which has contributed to 7.9 million 5 Series sales till now and this week we found out why.

Launching in the UAE a few weeks ago the 5 Series always looks to set the benchmark in three key areas buyers of the car demand: efficiency, comfort and technology. Perhaps it is the technology upon which it prides itself most. And straight off the bat this car is like the star ship Enterprise when you get behind the wheel. It is fitted as standard with a stereo camera, which teams up with optional radar and ultrasound sensors to monitor the area around the vehicle. This offers support in traffic jams, slow-moving traffic, and long stretches of motorway. It’ll avoid other cars, keep you in your lane and just generally pilot things as much as you desire. In top specification the iDrive system displays navigation, telephone and entertainment features on a high-resolution 10.25-inch screen. Not only is the car a WiFi hotspot, you can also use the optional Remote Parking system which allows it to be manoeuvred into tight parking spaces remotely using the car key. Real James Bond stuff.

Driving wise, you’re not going to going to find much better in this class. The version we tried was the 540i which has a 340hp engine and a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds. It was a magnificent machine and one we shan’t forget in a hurry.

Source: https://goo.gl/OAaYaQ

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Will VAT affect demand for cars in the UAE?

Auto dealers may absorb partial VAT cost in their margins

The UAE and GCC automotive industry faced challenging times during 2016. The trend is expected to continue this year across the GCC due to the lack of demand for new vehicles and oversupply of pre-owned vehicles, thereby depressing prices for dealers. Buyers are also reluctant to spend since it’s a discretionary decision in these difficult market conditions.

The presence of several manufacturers and dealers also makes the automobile market highly competitive, depressing margins, especially for the luxury, SUV and mid-size segment. Backed by banks, dealers are trying to lure customers with discounts on new purchases, lower maintenance costs, higher loan values and free insurance for the first year.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the two most predominant automotive markets in the GCC. Underlying positive factors continue due to low fuel costs, low customs duty, high per capita disposable income, growing population and favourable tax structures. Additionally, attractive insurance and financing options make it easier to own a car in the UAE.

There are no significant manufacturing activities taking place in the sector, barring a few truck and bus component assembling units. It relies heavily on imports to fulfill demand.

Car dealers in the UAE do not just sell new and second-hand vehicles but have also diversified into more support activities such as provision of finance, insurance, warranties and car accessories, to name a few.

The supply chain and ancillary services feeding the automotive industry is massive, including vehicle manufacturers, importers, distributors, insurance companies, finance providers, after-sales markets in parts, accessories, annual service workshops and second-hand vehicle sales.

Challenges
Businesses operating in such a vast industry should be more cautious in their actions starting 2018 when the value added tax (VAT) will be effective in the region. The areas of concern may be managing demand, logistics and inventory concerns, alternate market, managing working capital cash flows and pricing.

The increase in price on account of VAT may have some impact on demand for cars as overall the cost of living will marginally go up. Bearing in mind the price elasticity for demand, dealers may absorb partial VAT cost in their margins. Dealers’ margins are not only on the sale price but they also have a back-end margin such as bonuses and rebates granted by manufacturers for meeting sales targets.

The automotive industry is open to tax abuse, attracting the special attention of tax authorities for close examination. The VAT laws for automotive industry have, therefore, become more complex over the years.

Some of the concerns from industry are importation of a vehicle, demonstrator car versus trade-in, hire or leasing of motor vehicles and margin scheme for second-hand vehicles. It is expected that VAT treatment on a second-hand vehicle will be different than a new vehicle. This is because a second-hand car has already incurred non-recoverable VAT at the time of purchasing it.

To avoid ‘tax on tax’ cascading effect, a margin scheme is generally used in most countries and is expected to be introduced in the UAE as well. Under the margin scheme, the VAT is calculated on the profit made in the transaction and not on the full sale value. The scheme is generally optional but if used, there are a number of conditions to meet.

Hence, we await publication of the GCC framework, VAT law and its underlying rules for compliance to seek answers to concerns. But overall, the industry despite challenges will be resilient and is expected to adapt well to the legislative changes by finding innovative solutions to spur demand.

Source: https://goo.gl/IxnRXa

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Now, get driving lessons in a Range Rover

The luxury package also features a Mercedes G500 and in the next phase luxury sports cars will be added

Dubai: Aspiring drivers can now take their driving lessons in luxury vehicles such as a Range Rover and a Mercedes G500, as part of Emirates Driving Institute’s (EDI) platinum course.

Ahmad Hashem Behroozian, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency, launched the luxury driving course at the EDI head office on Wednesday.

The luxury package, which will cost Dh30,000 and cover all expenses until the learners gets the licence, has already seen several applicants.

“There is a lot of demand for this service, which serves learners from a particular segment of the society, who would eventually go on to drive luxury cars. This course actually prepares them to drive big luxury cars,” said Behroozian, speaking to Gulf News following the launch.

He added that the luxury package will not compromise on the quality of training and compliance with the regulations will absolute.

“Though this is an all inclusive package, which covers the drivers expense until he or she gets the licence no matter how many tests they require, we have made sure that there is no compromise on the quality of training,” added Behroozian.

To begin with, the course is supported by two luxury SUVs and in the next phase luxury sports cars will be added to the fleet.

Source: https://goo.gl/svHjwE

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Range Rover Evoque: Experience a Driving Evolution

No matter how radical a Range Rover evolves, it will still be true-blue Range Rover. Such is the case with the Evoque, featuring the same signature design, power and class of a British masterpiece.

Available in Convertible, Coupe, and Five-door styles, the Evoque model enables you to customize your drive in the most satisfying way possible. This British masterpiece also boasts space functionality and state-of-the-art technology keeping you connected to the world while you drive. Therefore, there’s nothing you won’t love about it.

Given that summer is undeniably the best time to go on off-road adventures, it is also the best time to hunt for cars for sale in Dubai. If you want to save much on your purchase and experience the same features and performance of a brand new car, then used Range Rover in Dubai is the best way to go.  You will not find it hard to look for one as there are lots of Dubai car dealers that are currently offering the best deals. By simply making the right choice, you will experience the most pleasant car buying experience ever.

Drop by The Elite Cars today and discover why we are a favorite among locals and expats!

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Beat the Heat This Summer with the BMW 730Li

As a household name in the world of motoring, BMW never fails to deliver on its promise. This is why it is the favorite car among people who have a taste for class, power and beauty. And if you are searching for a model with a radically engineered underpinnings and tech-centric cabin, the 730Li makes a good choice.

This sedan comes with a new Carbon Core platform that utilizes a combination of ultra-tensile steels, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), and aluminum to cut up to 90 pounds. It also features lighter-weight suspension components, lighter aluminum doors, new ambient lighting and a fragrance option that personalizes the interior, as well as a panoramic LED roof.

With all the innovations that the 730Li has to offer, it can redefine your driving experience specially in this desert metropolis. And here’s the good news: whether you are looking for a new or used BMW in Dubai, you can rest assured to get it at a competitive price provided that you deal only with a reputable dealer of BMW in Dubai.

To make your dream of owning a BMW come true, The Elite Cars is currently running a promotion on its 7 Series vehicles. Hurry and take advantage of cars for sale in Dubai now!

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Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic review: F-Type-engined Rangie

The new Range Rover Sport?

Well, the updated MY17 Range Rover Sport, anyway. ‘MY’ meaning model year, and bringing, for the second-lieutenant Rangie’s fourth year on the market, new infotainment (at last), optional semi-autonomous tech and two new engines. No actual facelift, though.

There’s the smallest engine ever to feature in an RRS – a 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-pot familiar from the Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport – and then there’s what we’ve driven. A 3.0-litre, supercharged petrol-sipping V6 that we’ve found until now in the nose of a different Jag. The entry-level F-Type, in fact.

So…we should talk about the sat-nav first.

We should. No, really, it’s just a quick note to say that engaging satellite navigation or changing radio stations in a Range Rover Sport is, as of now, not an experience that results in a dead end, Magic FM and a nervous breakdown. InControl Touch Pro, the widescreen system with smartphone-like reflexes we first saw in the Evoque Cabriolet, has arrived. So, only four years after the Range Sport made landfall, it’s finally got an infotainment set-up worthy of a £65,000 car from the 2010s.

That’s not to say it’s foible-free. A north-up map is more difficult to find than, well, your motorway exit, and Bluetooth connection proved to be a mite temperamental. It’s not perfect, but it is responsive to the touch and crystal clear in resolution. And no longer an embarrassment to the Sport’s otherwise delectable cabin.

Okay, engine next?

Yes, engine next. The supercharged V6 in question develops 335bhp and 332lb ft – identical to the entry-level F-Type. Here it doesn’t rasp through an active exhaust, however. It sounds reedy – a bit strained. That’s a telltale this engine is working rather hard to shift 2,150kg of SUV, which is why the economy claims are nothing special (unless absolute accuracy is your fetish). Even though it’s allied to the familiar eight-speed automatic gearbox that keeps revs safely below 2,000rpm at the UK national limit, our mixed road average was 25.6mpg.

The official claim is 26.9mpg (supercharged motors can’t run ‘off-boost’, so never hoodwink the NEDC test as successfully as turbo engines), and CO2 output is 243g/km. That’s north of a BMW M5’s carbon footprint, and so the tax bill will be Google-sized. Except you’ll actually have to pay it.

In fairness, in markets where tax breaks are calculated with cubic capacity, having a 2,995cc powerplant to limbo under the big three-litre cut-off is very handy indeed.

So if it’s not for dodging the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is it for performance?

Not especially. Land Rover claims 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and 130mph flat out. Respectable stuff – in isolation – but the SDV6 diesel knocks two-tenths off that charge, is 12mph quicker at the top end, and has more torque all the time. It makes a less laboured noise, it’ll easily top thirty to the gallon (TG’s long-term test car managed 33.2mpg over 22,000 miles), and it just feels more appropriate.

The Sport is, despite what the sycophants will tell you, far from the most dynamic big SUV. It’s got roll, it steers slowly and deliberately, and the gearbox is ponderous. A Cayenne, even in its twilight years, would leave it for spare parts. This is more a large upright GT, and it’s better with the diesel, simple as that.

But there’s a price to pay, right?

Too right. In HSE Dynamic trim, the supercharged petrol V6 is £64,400, while its diesel twin is £10,500 more expensive. It’ll take an awful lot of mileage to offset that kind of outlay – 10,000 miles in the diesel would set you back £1,636 at current UK pump prices, compared to £2,088 in the petrol.

Still, there’s no getting away from the fact the Sport is much, much happier burning diesel, and using turbos, not superchargers, for its boost. Whether or not the powers that be will let you drive one down Kensington High Street in a decade’s time is up for debate…

Source: https://goo.gl/6x9w4t

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2016 Range Rover HSE: The Refined Car for Refined Drivers

If there’s one thing that sets Range Rover apart from other car models, that is its ability to offer the best of  both worlds: off-road might and refined luxury. This is truly embodied by the 2016 HSE, making it the refined car for refined drivers.

Packed with a number of avant-garde features, this SUV gives driving a new definition as well as takes comfort and entertainment to a new level. Its InControl Touch Pro, Meridian Car Audio, Automatic Access Height and Adaptive Dynamics makes driving more than just a task, but something that is worth looking forward to.

This summer, you can spot a number of cars for sale in Dubai offered at the best deals. Second hand cars in Dubai are the way to go if you are someone who’s practical. The good news is that there is a huge number of Dubai car dealers in the region where you can find the car that perfectly suits your taste, needs, lifestyle and budget. However, you need to deal only with the one that is dedicated to making your dream of owning a luxury car come true through offering outstanding customer service and flexible finance options.

Looking for a Range Rover in Dubai? You can never go wrong with the 2016 HSE at The Elite Cars.

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Trump’s old Ferrari F430 sells for $270,000

You may remember that Auctions America was going to sell a 2007 Ferrari F430 owned by the current president of the United States. It was estimated at between $250,000 and $350,000. It went for auction this weekend and just barely fell into that range.

According to Bloomberg, Donald Trump’s old Ferrari failed to meet the reserve, set at $250,000, with a final bid of $240,000. However, Auctions America said the car sold after the auction at $270,000. So the auction company did get its estimate right, but just barely.

As for what the new owner purchased, he or she got an F430 with celebrity and presidential heritage, the F1 automatic gearbox, low miles, a service history, and a classic Ferrari red paint job. Of course we still stand by our preference for a manual one in our choice of color and without any celebrity history (or baggage depending on your opinion). Check out our original piece for more details on the car.

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Tips for obtaining auto loans with bad credit

Even if you have bad credit, an auto loan isn’t necessarily out of reach. Some lenders even specialize in so-called ‘sub-prime’ borrowers, or those with bad credit, so you’ll likely have no shortage of offers if you’re looking for a car loan. However, you’ll usually pay the price in terms of a higher interest rate and/or a longer loan term, both of which will increase the total cost of your loan.

Shop around
The auto loan business is very competitive. The rate you’re offered could vary dramatically from lender to lender, so shop around to see what types of deals you can get. The internet makes comparison shopping easier than ever, as you can often get quotes from a variety of lenders without even stepping outside of your house. Many car dealers even have their own internet sales divisions these days. If you can get written quotes from a number of different sources, ask your favorite dealer or finance company if it can match the lowest rate.

Don’t forget about your bank or credit union
While it may be easiest to get a car loan directly from a dealer, it’s not always the lowest cost option. Banks – especially smaller local banks and credit unions – focus on serving small communities and often have good rates, even for buyers with bad credit. This is particularly true if you already have a relationship with the institution.

Find a co-signer
If you can’t find a reasonably priced loan on your own, consider a co-signer. A co-signer becomes legally responsible for the repayment of the loan, so the most typical co-signer is usually a parent or relative. If you have bad credit, you’ll benefit from the lower rates offered to your co-signer, assuming he or she has better credit than you.

Put up collateral
If you have a valuable asset, such as a home, you can offer that up as collateral in order to get what’s known as a secured loan. This can be a particularly risky path, however; if you can’t make your payments you’ll lose the collateral to the finance company. However, it may be easier to find a willing lender if you have some collateral to offer as backup.

Pay attention to loan terms
A common tactic lenders use when financing buyers with bad credit is to offer attractive monthly payment rates. If you focus solely on the amount of your monthly payment, you might overlook the total cost of your loan. While a $350 monthly payment might sound appealing, remember that paying $450 a month over 60 months results in a much lower total outlay than paying $350 per month for 84 months.

Source: https://goo.gl/l7QUJf

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Review: The Maserati Levante

There is no such thing as an overnight sensation in the car industry. The Maserati Levante – the first ever SUV from the Italian luxury car maker – may seem to have appeared out of nowhere, but it’s undergone three major evolutionary phases in the 14 years it has taken to get it to market.

The Levante’s roots run deep. Back at the turn of the millennium, the company had explored the possibility of producing a luxury SUV in partnership with Audi. The plan was that the two companies would share a platform designed to underpin both SUV and saloon car models, catering for a range of engines and transmissions.

The result was a production concept designed by Italdesign dubbed the Kubang, which first appeared at the 2003 Detroit Motor Show. The project never materialised but Porsche, part of the Volkswagen-Audi Group, had tremendous success with the Cayenne around the same time – paving the way for other premium makers to follow suit.

A totally revised Kubang appeared eight years later at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, this time designed by Centro Stile Maserati. Fiat’s CEO Sergio Marchionne (Maserati is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) had announced his plans for a radical shakeup of Maserati the year before, including aggressive production targets and investment into new products.

Shifting large numbers – 50,000 annually by Marchionne’s calculations – is not a job shouldered by the likes of saloon and GT cars alone. The Quattroporte, 2013’s Ghibli and the GranTurismo two-seater have helped push global sales from 6,159 in 2011 to over 42,000 in 2016 – but to really boost the balance sheets to where the boss wanted them, Maserati needed to make good on their promise of an SUV to rival the likes of Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, and stave off upcoming competition from Aston Martin and Lamborghini. That’s why you’re now looking at pictures of the Levante, which launched earlier this year.

This is a vehicle the company insists remains a true Maserati at heart. It comes with a twin-turbo three-litre V-6 engine in two levels of tune. The Dhs329,000 base model makes 350 horsepower and 500Nm torque, while the Dhs379,000 S spits out 430 horsepower and 580Nm with the taps fully open. Both have been tweaked by Ferrari’s engine boffins, and both sound as though they’re bred more for a life on track and high performance than as sedate family movers for soccer moms and commuters.

Priority, as it should be, has been placed on making that sound as immense as possible. In Sport mode, the Levante begins to get aroused at around 3000rpm when the car’s computer triggers bypass valves in the exhaust system, venting a glorious rasp right up to that car’s 6200rpm redline. It’s incredibly satisfying from the driver’s seat as you reach for another gear.

There’s no question that the Levante is quick and handles well, much of which can be attributed to the combination of aluminium control arms up front and five link rear suspension, with standard air springs and electronically controlled dampers. The system has five ride-height settings, including two each for sporty and off-road driving.

Prodding the Sport button twice triggers sweeping changes that stiffen the dampers considerably, limiting the amount the car squats under acceleration and dives under braking.

A handful of laps around the Dubai Autodrome was enough to suggest that at over 2.1 tons, the Levante seems a lot better than the Ghibli on track. Perhaps it’s the fact that Maserati claims the car has the lowest centre of gravity of any SUV in this class, or the fact that you simply don’t expect an SUV to handle this well on the track, but the figures are impressive. It pushes a top speed of 264 km/h and will hit 100 km/h from standing in 5.2 seconds.

While it’s tempting to suggest this is where the Maserati performs best, venturing off-road is where the Levante really earns its SUV stripes. Those two off-road settings can be set to hitch the Levante’s skirt to two different levels for a total ground clearance of 247mm. Coupled with a standard and permanent all-wheel-drive system, a computer-controlled multiplate clutch sends torque to the front wheels when required. The all-wheel drive system is set up to send drive to the rear most of the time, even in slippery conditions. When the system senses you’ve pushed the limits – maybe by stabbing the throttle too aggressively or thundering into a corner too hot – it will react by funnelling torque to the front end. Maserati says the Q4 all-wheel drive system can switch torque split settings in milliseconds, going from 100 percent rear-drive to 50:50 front-to-rear.

That makes off-road driving a lot of fun. Not only does the Levante swallow up challenging rocky routes that require excellent axle articulation, but it’s also quite at home in Dubai’s dunes. Approach and departure angles are generous, while a thoroughly sorted four-wheel drive system tackles deep, soft sand journeys with confidence, even with tyres more suited for road and track driving.

With so much attention focused on the success of Maserati’s first ever SUV, engineers were charged with an exhaustive test and evaluation programme. Hot climate testing was conducted in South Africa, Morocco and Dubai; extreme cold climate tests were done in Finland and in New Zealand, while specific quality checks were carried out in China and the UAE. High mileage reliability tests were carried out in the USA and in Russia. Five continents and millions of kilometres were covered during the testing. Maserati had a long time to get the Levante right, and it appears they managed to do so.

The interior is an improvement on the Ghibli. A new control knob for the centre touchscreen is a welcome addition, while the choice of 28 interior colour combinations will make speccing a challenge. Those familiar with the Ghibli and Quattroporte will recognise the instrument panel layout, while the mechanical dash clock is a pleasant addition to an otherwise tech-laden façade.

There’s 580-litres of space in the boot, which is less than most of its rivals, but you’re able to spec optional luggage rails, an aerodynamic roof box that adds 410 litres of extra space, a lockable ski and snowboard carrier for six pairs of skis or four snowboards, and a lightweight surf or bike carrier. There’s a towbar option too, and the Levante is rated to haul 2.7 tonnes.

The Levante faces stiff opposition in this segment, but its blend of versatility and style make it an impressive choice for those who’d like to stand out from the crowd.

Source: https://goo.gl/2wsAvb

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BMW 5 Series in contention for World Luxury Car of the Year

Every year, the World Car Awards holds a ceremony to announce the best cars in the world for different categories. For instance, there’s Performance Car of the Year, Green Car of the Year and World Luxury Car of the year, just to name a few. BMW has a couple of cars in contention for awards this year, with the new G30-generation BMW 5 Series nominated for the World Luxury Car of the Year award.

So far, we’ve been incredibly impressed with the newest generation of 5 Series. The G30, to us at least, is the best generation of 5er since the E39 back in the late ’90s/early ’00s. It combines a superb interior, impressive technology and genuinely fun-to-drive dynamics into one handsome looking package. We’re also impressed by the overwhelmingly positive response to the new 5 Series from most journalistic publications.

BMW as a brand seems to be the media’s favorite punching bag as of late, with most journos poking fun at its departure from small, sporty performance cars to bloated, technology-filled luxury cars. However, it seems as if most journalists and critics like the new 5 Series and its many charms. As a heavy critic of the past two 5 Series generations myself, the E60 and F10 respectively, the new G30 genuinely surprised me and made me a believer in modern BMWs again.

It seems as if it’s received enough praise to warrant an award, as it’s one of the three cars in contention for the World Luxury COTY award. The other two cars fighting for that award are the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo S90. To be honest, this is a tough competition for these three. Each of them are remarkably good cars with their own strong suits.

 The BMW 5 Series is a superb all-rounder, with impressive tech, great driving dynamics and a luxurious cabin. However, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is probably the better luxury car, with a more supple interior and ride quality. The Volvo S90 is also a great car, with a wonderful minimalist cabin and safety that embarrasses the other two. So it will be interesting to see which car gets the award.

The World Car Awards will be held in Manhattan on April 12, opening the 2017 New York International Auto Show.

Source: https://goo.gl/xQZkwG

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