Lamborghini Centenario debuts at Geneva

Lamborghini has presented a special edition Centenario model at the Geneva Motor Show.

The limited edition comes in the year Lamborghini celebrates the centenary of founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's birth. Only 20 coupe and 20 roadster versions of the Centenario will be produced - and all 40 cars are already sold, with a start price of 1.75 million euros plus tax.

The Centenario continues Lamborghini's one-off strategy and is powered by a V12 naturally aspirated engine, producing 770 hp for a 0-62 time of 2.8 seconds with a top speed of more than 217mph. Braking from 62mph to standstill is achieved in 30 meters. A monocoque and body in full carbon fibre provide a low weight of 1,520 kg and a weight to power ratio of just 1.97 kg/hp.

The car's aerodynamic design includes an extending rear wing providing more downforce at high speeds. The introduction of rear-wheel steering provides increased agility and stability, and a new touchscreen provides connected infotainment, including internet browsing and Apple CarPlay. 

"The Centenario is a car that perfectly combines tradition and innovation. It looks to the future while honouring the legend that is Ferruccio Lamborghini," says Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. "The Centenario is an opportunity for our designers and engineers to transcend some of the constraints of series car production to achieve an incomparable result: the Centenario has immediately proved itself as a desirable collectors' car, while demonstrating new Lamborghini technologies and outstanding performance. It is the most fitting tribute to Ferruccio Lamborghini in his centenary year: a man who created an exceptional brand, believed that anything was possible, and produced extraordinary, iconic cars. The Centenario is a super sports car for Ferruccio Lamborghini and the future he and we believe in today."

Bentley ‘Monster by Mulliner’ unveiled at CES

Bentley’s bespoke coach-building division Mulliner has teamed up with high-performance audio brand - Monster - for a special edition Continental.

Making its world debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the unique Monster-inspired 'Monster by Mulliner' is based on a Bentley Continental GT V8 S, and is ‘designed to appeal to the target market of young professionals and movers and shakers in sports and music’.

Monster says all genres of music, including Hip Hop, Rap, EDM and Rock, will be heard ‘with new ears’ via the custom sound system not available in any production car in the world. A total of 16 hand selected Monster speakers, personally tuned by Head Monster Noel Lee, delivers 3,400-watt of ‘Pure Monster Sound’ - the company’s signature audio profile.

Embodying the Monsters colour scheme of red and black within the cabin, Mulliner’s skills are showcased by the Hotspur Continental GT V8 S Beluga hide and steering rim colour selections. Based on the Monster logo, Mulliner created a unique 3D laser-etched fascia panel designed exclusively for this vehicle, complementing the Piano Black finish. The Continental GT V8 S also features the Monster motto: “Always Lead, Never Follow” and “Monster by Mulliner” headrest embroidery.

The exterior is finished in a ‘stunning colour scheme and intricate flourishes’. Its Onyx exterior coloured paint is highlighted with Hotspur accents including a unique body kit and radiator shell bezel. Along with red brake calipers and a gloss black polished wheel, the black bonnet vents are also stylised. This vehicle also includes the GT Design Seat by Mulliner.

Head Monster Noel Lee noted: “Monster is proud to collaborate with Bentley on bringing the sound and look of a Monster ride to those who want something bold and different. With our Pure Monster Sound system, the drive will be truly incredible and brings a new level of excitement to the driving experience. That’s why this collaboration for the Continental GT V8 S is such a perfect fit. Our Monster motto ‘Always Lead Never Follow’ has never been more appropriately applied than in association with this impeccably designed automobile.”

Geoff Dowding, Director of Mulliner, said: “The inspiration for this Mulliner commission came from a meeting with Monster’s CEO Noel Lee at Pebble Beach in 2015, where we exchanged business cards. The card contained several brand details, such as the Monster-pattern design and the red, black and silver colour scheme. It was the ideal starting point from which to create this incredible vehicle.”

If you like Bentley's check out our Continental GTC review here:

BMW commissions new Art Cars

BMW commissions new Art Cars

BMW commissions new Art Cars

BMW commissions new Art Cars

BMW commissions new Art Cars

BMW commissions new Art Cars

BMW commissions new Art Cars

BMW commissions new Art Cars

BMW commissions new Art Cars

Following on from Jenny Holzer, Olafur Elíasson and Jeff Koons, Chinese artist Cao Fei, 37, and American artist John Baldessari, 84, will be the youngest and oldest artists represented in the collection respectively.

Fei and Baldessari are each due to create unique versions of the BMW M6 GT3 in the coming year, ready for presentations in museums in 2017, before appearing in action on the racetrack.

The BMW M6 GT3 spearheads the range of cars available to the BMW customer racing programme. It is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, which has been modified slightly for use in motor racing. The powertrain has dry sump lubrication and generates up to 585hp - with the whole car weighing less than 1,300kg.  

BMW Board Member, Ian Robertson announced the collaboration of the two artists at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. 'The 40th anniversary of the BMW Art Collection is a time to look ahead. The collection is the embodiment of the cultural commitment of the BMW Group - its vehicles stand for the combination of cutting-edge technology and inspiring art.

Cao Fei dubbed by BMW as one of the most promising and Chinese artists of her generation; expressed her excitement in joining the ranks of renowned artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and David Hockney. "I'm thrilled to be able to join the magnificent list of BMW Art Car artists. Acceleration, a concept that reminds me of my desire for speed as a runner during the Young Pioneers days, is deeply connected to the entangled contemporary relationships between velocity, energy, and the country."

John Baldessari, described as 'a great pioneer and godfather of an entire art scene in LA and beyond' told the press how he was honoured to have many of his respected peers recommend him as a BMW Art Car artist. 'Creating art that exists outside of a museum is important to me, and should be a goal for all artists. This will definitely be my fastest artwork yet.'

Since 1975 artists from the world over have been creating Art Cars on the basis of contemporary BMW automobiles. 'It is fantastic that the tradition of the BMW Art Car series will be continued with the BMW M6 GT3. Motorsport and the BMW Art Cars have always been very closely linked. Our racing cars in the special designs of well-known artists have cult status among the general public. I am convinced that the same will be true of the works by Cao Fei and John Baldessari. Naturally we want to fight for wins with the BMW M6 GT3 Art Cars. This combination of art and performance on the racetrack really is unique.' said Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director.

Zenos reveals faster, more focused E10 R

A year after its first model entered production, Zenos Cars has introduced its quickest and most focused car to date: the E10 R.

With more power and torque, lighter components and uniquely tuned suspension, the E10 R has been developed, says Zenos, to deliver maximum performance and driving thrills both on track and on road.

A new Ford-sourced turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine uses a bespoke ECU developed with partner Specialist Components to deliver 40 per cent more power (350 bhp) and 19 per cent more torque (475 Nm / 349 lb.ft). And with over 450 Nm of the total torque available between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm, the E10 R offers great flexibility for overtaking manoeuvres. 

Thanks to a power-to-weight figure of 500 bhp/tonne, the E10 R is expected to achieve zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.0 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).

Inside, there's a shortened gear lever for the standard six-speed transmission and twin-skin composite seats fitted with four-point racing harnesses to enhance safety.

The brakes have also been uprated, with ventilated discs and uprated four-pot callipers fitted as standard, while changes have been made to spring and damper rates for dynamic improvements.

The 'standard' Zenos E10 R is priced from £39,995, but it will initially be available as an exclusive (15 examples only) Drive Edition, named after the company's design partners, priced at £43,995. 

The Drive Edition is distinguished by its unique black anodised finish of its aluminium spine, visible from inside the cabin, Satin Black front and rear splitters and side winglets, and Satin Black interior trim. 

Optional equipment on the E10 R, and standard on the E10 R Drive Edition, includes a new Charged Graphite paint finish, one-way adjustable dampers, quick-release steering wheel and uprated master cylinders.

The Drive Edition also gets an upgraded interior, with six-point harnesses, carbon leather trim and carbon seats all fitted as standard equipment. 

Orders are now being taken for the E10 R, which sits at the top of a three-model E10 family. The range begins with the 200 bhp E10, priced from £24,995, and also includes the 250 bhp turbocharged E10 S, priced from £29,995.

The Zenos E10 R will make its international debut at the Autosport International 2016 show, which will be held from 14-17 January at the NEC in Birmingham.

Lamborghini Huracan updated for 2015

Lamborghini Huracan updated for 2015

Lamborghini Huracan updated for 2015

The Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 has received a number of updates for 2015.

Focusing on efficiency, drivability and luxury the new updates have already been installed. As standard, both the Huracan coupe and newly-launched Spyder version include cylinder deactivation to improve engine efficiency; the first time this function is included in a naturally aspirated V10 engine. When full engine capacity is not required, five of the ten cylinders are temporarily deactivated by switching off one cylinder bank. When the driver accelerates, the system switches back instantaneously to ten-cylinder mode, while being 'virtually impossible' to detect by the driver, says Lamborghini. This feature reduces fuel consumption and CO2 to 283 g/km.

A fine-tuning of the electronically controlled 4WD system also provides a neutral and 'even more' improved driving behaviour, particularly in STRADA (Road) mode.

The trim colour choice has been significantly enlarged while interior refinements, as standard, now includes extra leather on the door handles and the upper parts of the centre console, while air vents are now painted in an exclusive matt black.

Lamborghini 'Ad Personam' - the brand's customisation program, has also added the availability of interior personalisation, as well as exterior options including heritage colours and matt paints. The options program has been further extended with new options available including Lamborghini's Sensonum audio system. The system delivers 390 Watts RMS, with a ten-channel amplifier and a range of ten loudspeakers in hexagonal-shaped grilles and the Sensonum badge.

Lamborghini's optional sports exhaust system, which can be specified with a style package for high gloss black tailpipes, is now available in all markets worldwide. New LED lighting in the engine compartment can be combined with the optional transparent engine bonnet and carbon fibre engine compartment. Cruise Control can be specified, and a travel pack provides additional storage nets front and rear, an additional 12V lighter and cupholders.

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton wins third F1 World Championship

Lewis Hamilton has won his third Formula One World Championship.

Taking victory in a dramatic United States Grand Prix, team-mate Nico Rosberg finished second and Sebastian Vettel third in a race weekend that featured extreme rain, a curtailed qualifying and plenty of safety cars.

Hamilton took his 10th win of the season, the 43rd of his Formula One career en route to becoming only the second British driver after Sir Jackie Stewart to be a triple World Champion and is now also the only Briton to successfully defend his crown.

With just 10 laps to go and running in second place behind his team-mate, Hamilton had fresher tyres - having just pitted under yet another safety car, and was able to pressure Rosberg in to making a mistake. It was the lifeline the British driver needed and he was able to capitalise, taking the lead on lap 48 of 56. Hamilton saw the car home, winning the race and sealing the Championship with it.

Hamilton said: "It's an overwhelming moment. The race today was really amazing and anything could have happened. The last 10 - 15 laps were extraordinary - it was just a crazy, crazy race. I was in the lead, then I was fourth and the conditions were really tricky. Nico was driving really well, too. All the way through, I was thinking; "The Championship is there somewhere.. how can I get it?" It was so close I could smell it and there was never a moment I didn't believe I could do it."

The British driver paid tribute to his hero Ayrton Senna: "It's just incredible to equal Ayrton, too. My target was always three titles as he was the one who inspired me. There is no one I want to equal now - I just want to carry on as far and long as I can."

Mexico is the next race for Hamilton and co, returning to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit after a 23 year absence.