The 2013 TechArt Porsche Panamera Turbo GrandGT stands out as one of the more attractive new models released to a very fervent niche consumer market.

The vehicle has all the qualities you look for in Porsche plus more, incredible aerodynamics, improved stability, and design.

The collaboration with TechArt enhances all the features Porsche has already in place.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: 4 Door Sport Coupe	Est. Market Price: NA
Fuel Tank Capacity: 26.4 gals (100 L)	MPG: NA

Dimensions*

Length: 197.4 in. (501.4 cm)	Wheelbase: 114.9 in. (291.8 cm)
Height: 55.4 in. (140.7 cm)	Width: 76.0 in. (193 cm)
Curb Weight: 4343 lbs (1970 kg)	Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 44.1 cu ft (seats folded)	Maximum Seating: 2+2

Performance

Engine: V8 DOHC Bi-Turbo	Displacement: 4.8 Liter
Horsepower: 630 HP	Torque: 649 lb-ft
Transmission: 7-Speed PDK	Top Speed: 205 mph (330 km/h)

* Panamera Turbo Specs

Engine

The power and performance of the Panamera Turbo GrandGT definitely allow it to command attention. On the central console is a sport button that electronically starts the engine.

The motor itself is a 4.8 liter bi-turbo and it can deliver upwards of 630 horsepower along with a the maximum torque from of 651 lb ft.

The maximum speed the car is capable of reaching is a stunning 205 mph (330 km/h). Intelligent control technology can be installed into the system making it more effective from a performance standpoint.

Exterior

As previously mentioned stability is another selling point of this vehicle. The integration of the TechArt roof spoiler and rear wing cuts down on the lift of the rear axis which enhances running safety and stability.

The rear apron has been designed in such a way that the entire vehicle is more aerodynamic. All these attributes, in turn, lead to a better handling on the road even at high speeds.

Interior

Performance will mean little if the interior lacks comfort. The TechArt Panamera Turbo GrandGT does have an interior that provide excellent comfort.

The black leather interior is visually stunning and there is more than enough space in the car to avoid feeling crowded. There is even a host of entertainment features that evoke a very luxurious feel and a unique riding experience.

The 2013 Panamera Turbo GrandGT just might be the car of the future. It would be tough for any other model to match its uniqueness.

As the name implies, the 2013 Volkswagen Kombi Last Edition will be the final version of this historic VW model. This is a special commemorative series with only 600 units being produced.

The exterior is only available in one color combination, and the interior is adorned by the same, a feature not seen in previous Kombi models. Many of the distinctive elements reminiscent of the vehicles past are evident.

The Kombi has been referred to as the “Transporter” and even simply a “camper van” since the German automaker began production of the units in Brazil in 1957.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Van

Base Price: NA

Performance

Engine: 4 Cylinder	Displacement: 1.4 Liter
Horsepower: 77 HP	Max RPM: 4800 RPM
Torque: NA	Transmission: 4-Speed Manual

Engine

The Kombi Last Edition comes equipped with an EA111, 1.4 liter four cylinder engine that provides a quite conservative 78 horsepower. It is connected exclusively to a 4 speed manual transmission.

Exterior

The 2013 Kombi Last Edition will look very familiar to its legion of fans. It is basically a simple, rectangular shaped van. The front is flat with a single round headlamp on each side of a large black grille area complete with the VW emblem in its center. The front bumper is small which has been done in a retro style.

The side view shows its 3 long windows as almost one continuous viewing area from the inside. The Last Edition features white wall tires and white center wheel cap as another nod towards nostalgia.

The rear bumper mimics the front and the rear window is tinted. There are two separate doors in the rear. One is a large cargo door on top with the “hood” of the vehicle being a smaller door beneath it allowing access to the rear engine area.

The 2013 Kombi will only be available in the two tone colors of white and “Atlanta Blue” (baby blue) body.

Each vehicle will contain a numbered identification plaque on the dash.

Interior

For starters, the Kombi Last Edition comes with blue fabric curtains adorning its side and rear windows. The curtain fasteners even display the Kombi logo. The vinyl seats are blue and white striped matching the exterior colors.

The inside door panels are also covered with vinyl. A traditional feature has the speedometer centered in the instrument cluster with the gas gauge to its right. Newer technology finds an MP3 sound system with red LED’s and USB as well as other auxiliary ports. The Kombi seats 9 passengers.

Mercedes is preparing a new Hybrid for their upcoming lineup over the next two years. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid is the third and final eco-friendly model of the S class generation.

Set for release in 2014, the new hybrid comes with technological improvements, making it their most fuel efficient car and the most versatile out of the 3 different models available.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Luxury Sedan Hybrid	Base Price: NA
EV Mode Range: 19 miles	MPGe for EV Mode: 94 miles avg

Performance

Engine: V6 Turbo Hybrid	Displacement: 3.0 Liter
Horsepower: 328 HP	Torque: 355 lb-ft
Motor Horsepower: 107 HP	Motor Torque: 252 lb-ft
0-62 mph: 5.5 seconds	Maximum Speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)

Engine

Mercedes went for a 3.0 liter V6 gas engine coupled with an electric motor. Unlike the other two hybrids, the driver can switch between electric-only, hybrid, power saver and gas-only modes.

When combined, the two engines produce 435 horsepower and an average fuel consumption below the other two models. This up and coming Plug-In Hybrid goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.

Performance

The S500 is a heavy car. It provides decent road grip and stability but it was design for comfort rather than enhanced handling at high speeds. The hybrid behaves above the average during tight cornering and in difficult weather conditions.

Designed for efficiency and versatility, the 2015 S500 Hybrid will run 18.5 miles exclusively on the electric motor before needing a recharge.

Using the hybrid mode provides an average run of 94 miles per gallon which makes it the most fuel efficient model out of the three available for next year’s lineup.

Exterior

The design of the car is common for the S Class, making it difficult to distinguish it from the gas models. However, there are a few visual changes to the front of the S500.

The front grill is larger, while the headlights have been toned down giving it a wider front profile. It reinforces the overall design, accentuating the elements that make it an executive sedan.

Interior

From the inside, the S500 looks fairly futuristic. All the gauges, menus, controls and monitoring displays are located through a high resolution LED screen. The only physical buttons that can be seen are placed on the doors and right beneath the air vents.

Throughout the entire interior of the car, decorative chromed elements have been added creating a contrast with the overall black theme.

The 2012 Aspid GT-21 Invictus has been designed to compete in the Super Sport model released by the car manufacturer from Spain.

Aspid has been known especially for their sports cars and extravagant exterior design, the engineering team from Aspid focused on implementing new technologies to reduce weight and improve performance.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Super Sport Coupe	Est. Market Price: NA
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 gals (72 L)	MPG: NA

Dimensions

Length: 175.1 in. (444.7 cm)	Height: 48.3 in. (122.6 cm)
Width: 74.9 in. (190.2 cm)	Curb Weight: 2183 lbs (990 kg)
Luggage Capacity: 9.7 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 2+2

Performance

Engine: BMW V8	Displacement: 4361 cc
Horsepower: 450 HP	Max RPM: 8300 rpm
Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm	Transmission: 7-Speed Double Clutch
0-60 mph: 3.0 seconds	Top Speed: 190 mph (305 km/h)

Engine

Looking under the hood, Aspid chose to use a BMW V8 engine, capable of generating 450 horsepower at 8300 rpm. Acceleration is typical for a sports car as the GT-21 goes for 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds.

The top speed has been limited to 186 mph. It has been mated with a 7 speed double clutch transmission.

Performance

What can be expected is a solid road grip due to the improved aerodynamics of the car that generate a lot of downforce and the reduced weight of the engine in the front of the car.

However, being a rear wheel-drive vehicle, it may make it a bit unstable and difficult to handle in harsh road conditions.

Exterior

The exterior is inspired by American sports cars with an aggressive front grille, exposed front wheels and air intakes near the rear wheel guards. Aspid went for a complete chromed exterior for their presentation model with dark black windows and five spoke rims.

Its large front grille is placed below the headlights that have been extended to the side. The trapezoidal shaped hood features two carved lines that go beyond the outer edges of the air intake.

Interior

From the outside, the car doesn’t seem to have a lot of interior space but Aspid engineers managed to make it a four passenger vehicle with a 2+2 configuration.

The GT-21 Invictus comes with an integrated rollcage. Aspid introduces what they call “UniDrive” which combines the integration of vehicle control and Multimedia easily accessible.

An LCD screen has been incorporated onto the steering wheel, which allows simple control of the car’s electronic system.

Aspid has put their money on building a lightweight sports car with a powerful engine and sufficient interior space.

In achieving this, the 2012 Aspid GT-21 Invictus’s inspiration comes from the motorsport and aerospace industries that introduce new technologies to the car manufacturing industry.

“Special” is the perfect way to describe the 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale. The Italian automaker may have outdone themselves this time creating a vehicle with advanced aerodynamics along with a more than capable powertrain.

These two features as well as many other components of the 458 Speciale are sure to find their way to other models bearing the Ferrari moniker.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Coupe

Base Price: NA

Dimensions*

Length: 178.2 in. (452.7 cm)	Wheel Base: 104.3 in. (265 cm)
Height: 47.8 in. (121.3 cm)	Width: 76.3 in. (193.7 cm)
Dry Weight: 2844 lbs (1290 kg)	Maximum Seating: 2 people

Performance

Engine: V8 DOHC	Displacement: 4995 cc
Horsepower: 596 HP	Max RPM: 9000 RPM
Torque: 400 lb-ft @6000 rpm	Transmission: 7-Speed Dual Clutch F1*
0-62 mph: 3.0 seconds	Maximum Speed: 202 mph* (325 km/h)

* Ferrari 458 Italia

Engine & Performance

Under the hood and in this case behind the seats, the 458 Speciale comes with a 4.5 liter, V8 which generates 596 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 7 speed dual clutch transmission that enables it to go from 0-62 mph in 3 seconds and from 0-124 mph in 9.1 seconds.

The 458 Speciale has the highest lateral “G-Force” of any street version Ferrari in existence today.

Exterior

The concept version of the Ferrari 458 Speciale immediately grabs your attention with its bright red exterior highlighted by blue and white stripes down the entire center of the car. Some extreme changes have taken place in the front of the vehicle as compared to its 458 Italia “brother”.

The hood is reverse vented to reduce drag and increase airflow. The front skirt now employs “moveable aerodynamics” that adjusts to road (track) conditions.

From the side fewer changes are obvious, but the front fender vents are now louvered and small wings have grown just rear of the doors.

The Speciale rear quarters have an increased full length grille area to aid the cooling in this rear engine supercar. Split exhaust pipes replace the triple inline configuration of the standard Italia. The largest addition to the backside is a huge rear diffuser to keep aerodynamic lift to a minimum.

Interior

Once again as shown in the 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale concept model not only do the seats of the car’s interior match the bright red on its body, but detailed red cross stitching has been used on the oblong shaped steering wheel.

Additionally, other areas surrounding the instrument panel are trimmed with the red stitching. The face of the instrument gauges have yellow backing. The center panel contains a stalk like carbon fiber rod housing the transmission mode buttons.