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Porsche Has Invested $83 Million in Rimac. What is the Croatian Hypercar Company Doing Now?

Rimac and Porsche have an ever-evolving relationship. Porsche originally invested a 15 percent stake in the Croatian hypercar company in 2019. And Porsche just invested another $83 million in Rimac, which now puts that stake at 24 percent. The companies’ ties are in fact imbued in Rimac’s history. Rimac may be best known for its totally electric supercars it also supplies components to a growing number of automakers, including Porsche, which has been a customer for years. In fact, Porsche has announced that Rimac is close to becoming a Tier 1 supplier for the auto industry worldwide. And now the German automaker has cast its bet in the direction of that growth exploding. In recent years, Rimac has been busy refining its C Two concept into a newly unveiled hypercar, the 2022 Nevera hypercar. more The Rimac Nevera was set to be unveiled last year but that unveiling was pushed back by the Covid-19 pandemic. Rimac even built a new production line to speed up production of the Nevera. The new car has an incredible zero-to-60 of 1.85 seconds - faster than Tesla's Roadster, which boasts 1.9 seconds. And the Nevera churns out a whopping 1,914 horsepower. This is in fact the third time the German automaker has invested in its Croatian company. Rimac founder and CEO Mate Rimac will lead the joint venture. "Mate Rimac and his team are important partners, especially when it comes to supporting us in the development of components," Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of the executive board at Porsche, told the media recently. He added the German marque already placed its first order with Rimac for "highly innovative series components." The Rimac Group itself is owned by: Porsche, which owns 24 percent; Hyundai, which owns 12 percent; founder Mate Rimac, who owns 37 percent; and various other investors that own the remaining 27 percent. The Rimac Group includes Rimac Technology, which is owned 100 percent by the Rimac Group, and the new Bugatti Rimac. Of Bugatti Rimac, the Rimac Group owns 55 percent while Porsche owns 45 percent. The automotive world is now watching the release of the 2022 Rimac Nevera, which is named for a mighty storm system and is a force like no other. Exotic and powerful, the fully electric Nevera was designed, engineered and handcrafted in Croatia, created to outperform in every way. By specializing exclusively in electric performance, Rimac was able to engineer and extract the most extreme performance on the planet. Each of its wheels are independently driven by one dedicated electric motor that channels torque accordingly to give you unprecedented control and agility. It gives you power where you need it. Instantly. Beneath its skin lies a carbon-fiber monocoque with bonded carbon roof, an integrated structural battery pack and rear carbon subframe. The structural core is lightweight, powerful and exceptionally strong. Facts you need to know about the Rimac Nevera: • The Nevera was designed to be the fastest accelerating car and the fastest electric car in the world today. • Not only is it visually striking but it carries exceptional speed and severity, a Hyper car with a capital H. • Rimac will make 50 Neveras for 2022 - each hand-crafted in Croatia for a total of 150 cars over time. • Four independent surface-mounted, carbon-sleeve, permanent-magnet electric motors and four independent inverters and gearboxes spell searing speed and performance. • The two front motors produce 220 kW (299 hp) each and two  rear motors produce 480 kW (653 hp) each. • The Nevera was handcrafted to perform beyond all expectations, with its inner workings made specifically for high performance. • The 120-kWh battery is shown to recharge from zero to 80 percent in as little as 19 minutes with 500 kW DC fast charging. • Nevera's bold but functional form is designed to exceed all expectations. • Rimac engineers found and developed the very best materials in order to hand craft everything from powertrain components to composites and in-car controls. • The 2022 Rimac Nevera's carbon-fiber monocoque is the largest and stiffest of any automobile on the market.

Rolls-Royce 103EX launch

Leave the Driving to Eleanor and Relax in Lavish Minimalism: The Rolls-Royce 103EX Imagines a Future that is Out of This World.

Rolls-Royce has always produced luxurious works of automotive art. And over the next century that automotive artwork could begin to look very different than it does now. We're talking shape, size, and silhouette – and the best part is that you will be able to craft your vision entirely from the wheels up. The Rolls-Royce 103EX Imagines a Future that is Out of This World more Ready for a peek into the future? The Rolls-Royce 103EX gives you just that as it embodies just one of the endless possibilities that await. Some love it and some are scratching their he But Rolls-Royce sees the 103EX as a “personalized icon” for the future that will provide an unsurpassed sanctuary of calm and peace in a fast-paced world of space travel and cryptocurrency.ads. The Rolls-Royce 103EX Side View In other words, Rolls-Royce is making history again. Dimensions, form, space, and materials – your personalized drawing board is limitless, and you are the architect when it comes to your future Rolls. And it's just the beginning. The 103EX is a beacon of luxury that’s distinctly modern, and yet glows with a timeless glamour. It's an automotive sculpture that embodies beauty, luxury, and calm. Its fluid curves sing with warmth, romance, and opulence. Check out our new Rolls-Royce cars for sale. Let’s take an even closer look at the 103EX: The Roof The entire roof canopy opens up to an inner sanctum that effortlessly envelopes drivers and passengers alike. You settle into an airy expanses of bespoke and rare materials. The skylight becomes your panoramic, personal observatory, inspiring awe and wonder as you gaze toward the heavens in perfect quiet. Rolls-Royce 103EX Doors Eleanor The future of luxury cars is all aboutself-aware, autonomous vehicles. But for the first time, Rolls-Royce will give artificial intelligence a name, a soul, and a purpose: Elanor. For more than a century, the Spirit of Ecstasy has graced every Rolls-Royce. Now, you get to hear her voice as she guides you, helping you to discover the world with you with fresh eyes. Moreover, Eleanor intuitively complements your personality, becoming a true companion. Are you ready to meet Eleanor? Take virtual 360° journey around Rolls-Royce 103EX, and experience the feeling of effortless travel. The Rolls-Royce 103EX Spirit of Ecstasy Size and Power The 103EX is long, as in 19.4 feet long. The lines are bold and the scale is vast. Even though the vehicle is fully electric its high-tech grille is perfectly Rolls-Royce in appearance. This EV has one electric motor powering the front wheels and a second electric motor that drives the rear. The lack of a gasoline-powered engine means there is more room for luggage. The Rolls-Royce 103EX Wheels New Era of Coach Building Welcome to what Rolls-Royce calls its "advanced lightweight electric platform." With the 103EX there's plenty of room for endless bespoke coachbuilding. That means you, as the customer, can decide exactly what materials to use. You also get to decide on the overall shape of the car and detailing that goes into the interior, including the roof, which currently allows customers to fully stand up before exiting through the single rear-hinged door. The Rolls-Royce 103EX Interior Luxurious Minimalism Can something be both luxurious and minimalistic? The 103EX proves that it's certainly possible. The streamlined interior includes a two-seat couch upholstered in silk and a hand-twisted silk carpet. There's a lavish entertainment screen as well as an incredible analog clock. Steering wheels and instruments become “completely superfluous,” Rolls says, because technology will become hidden. Instead, Eleanor will serve as your personal assistant as you travel. Oh, and the 103EX will take you to your pre-programmed destination, so steering won't be required. Rolls-Royce 103EX Storage See our used Rolls-Royce cars.

California electric car law 2035

California: All Car Sales Must Be EVs by the Year 2035

The state of California has announced an aggressive plan for sales of electric car sales to triple in the next four years. The groundbreaking plan calls for 35 percent of all new car purchases be those of electrical vehicles in the next few years – and 100 percent by 2035. It’s all part of the Golden State’s goal to phase out the sale of cars with gas engines by the middle of the coming decade. Here are some quick facts you need to know about the California EV proposal: California Electric Cars: BMW i4 All-Electric Gran Coupe more • The California Air Resources Board proposal would mean that 100 percent of all new car sales in the state are of EVs by the year 2035. • The California plan is significant due to the fact that about 11 percent of all new passenger car sales nationally happen in that state – giving it a big influence over the national auto market. • The plan only affects new car sales -Californians would still be allowed to drive gas-powered cars and sell used ones. • It requires a big increase in charging stations - California has set a goal of having 250,000 charging stations set up by 2025. (Right now there are fewer than 80,000 public charging stations in California). California: All Car Sales Must Be EVs by the Year 2035: Porsche Taycan Check out our latest EV car inventory here. The Biden administration recently restored California’s power to set its own vehicle emissions standards under the Clean Air Act and the federal government has committed $5 billion to build more charging stations throughout the United States. Automobiles contribute about a quarter of California’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making cars the largest single source of emissions. The EV program is just one of the state’s several efforts to massively reduce carbon emissions in the coming years. The program is designed to reduce emissions by nearly 384 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent between 2026 and 2040. That adds up to a little less than all emissions across California’s economy in a single year. California’s rules would require 35 percent of new car sales for model year 2026 to be zero-emission vehicles. California Electric Car Law 2035 That means: battery or hydrogen-powered, or plug-in electric hybrids. It’s a sharp increase from 2021, when just 12 percent of all cars sold in the state were zero-emission, according to the state board. Buy a Porsche Taycan online through indiGO Direct. About 1 million of the 26 million cars currently on California roads are zero-emission. Moreover, the coming regulations would also require electric cars to achieve at least 150 miles per charge, an increase from 50 miles. Most luxury EVs already far exceed that. The rules would also establish an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. Under the new rules all carmakers that sell in California would be required to hit the 35 percent sales mark for EVs. California: All Car Sales Must Be EVs : Porsche Taycan California is the first state in the union to mandate the phasing out of all gasoline-powered vehicles –the beginning of the end for combustion engines in the highly populated state. Many luxury car manufacturers have already announced plans to take their fleets fully electric in the next ten years. Audi, for instance, has announced it will end development of new internal combustion engine models by the end of 2026 and focus solely on full-electric from thereon. After 2026, the automaker will develop only battery-powered models. Take, for instance, the A3 and A4 models. They will not have combustion-engine successors but will be replaced by the battery-powered A3 e-tron and A4 e-tron. California EV Cars: Audi e-Tron The electric evolution of Audi's A5 and A6 models will follow a similar timetable. And the last internal combustion engine model built by Audi will likely be the Q8, which will launch in 2026 alongside an electric variant, the Q8 e-tron.

Jaguar E-Type Roadster Hearse

The Harold and Maude Jaguar Scene that is Hard for Certain Car Lovers to Watch

Although it is a much loved classic cult film, Harold and Maude contains one scene that is hard for old car lovers to watch. Jaguar lovers find it particularly gut-wrenching. If you are a movie buff you know exactly what we’re talking about. That is the conversion of a Jaguar E-Type roadster into a hearse. And then, to make matters worse, that final scene where it ends up flying over a cliff. Ouch. Let’s back up a bit for those who are too young to have experienced this cinematic moment. Harold and Maude tells the story of a death-obsessed young man, Harold (the legendary Bud Cort), who falls in love with a free-spirited elderly woman, Maude (the even more legendary Ruth Gordon). It’s the early work of acclaimed director Hal Ashby, who would go on to direct such films as The Last Detail, Coming Home, Shampoo, and Being There. Sadly he died too young and left a lot of movie lovers heartbroken. In Harold and Maude, the male lead’s main hobbies are faking his own death – much to the horror of his aristocratic mother – and obsessing over hearses and all things macabre. more Harold’s mother doesn’t like the first Hearse that Harold purchases so she replaces it with a spectacular and cutting edge 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series 2 roadster. (The same car just celebrated its 60th-anniversary last year around the same time that Harold and Maude celebrated its 50th year as a classic). Those of us who love classic cars delighted in her choice. Until Harold picked up that blow torch. Suddenly, just a few scenes later – in what appeared to be a matter of days - the Jaguar had become a perfectly compact hearse. This actually happened to the Jaguar. But the retrofitting was done in England and took about six months to complete. Here are some other fun facts about the H arold and Maude Jaguar. -The car was actually based on an E-Type 2+2 coupe, not a roadster as it is depicted in the film. “Regular E-Types were two-seaters, but the 2+2 had a small back seat, made possible by a 9-inch-longer wheelbase. That stretched wheelbase, in addition to the 2+2’s 2-inch taller windshield, made the conversion of an E-Type into a “last ride” more feasible,” according to Consumerguide.com -The customizer who did the work on the Harold and Maude Jaguar was a British man, Red Harden. He actually attended the screening of Harold and Maude at the International Jaguar Festival in Scottsdale, AZ, in 2016, where he saw the film for the first time! -Harden also worked on cars such as Batmobile, The Dukes of Hazzard General Lee and Drag-u-la from The Munsters. -In Harold and Maude, the Jaguar hearse really is driven off a cliff in one of the final scenes. It cost the film production company about $32,000, which is about $215,000 today. -There’s actually a replica of the Jaguar hearse that was built by a collector named Ken Roberts. It took hundreds of hours of research plus four years to build and cost Roberts about $1 million to complete. Love it or hate it the Harold and Maude Jaguar hearse represents an incredible conversion and is a piece of cinematic history. Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the Jaguar E-type. To celebrate the introduction of its super mod masterpiece, Jaguar built six roadsters and six coupes that were delivered in March of last year. Delivered in pairs, six collectors took possession of the exact replicas of the most famous E-Types: the “9600 HP” and the “77 RW.” Jaguar recreated the incredible pair at its Classic Works garage in Warwickshire The team took 12 existing 1960s E-types and painstakingly restored them to sparkling new condition with certain 60th-anniversary specifications that included commemorative detailing overseen by Jag design director Julian Thomson. The cars also got a custom paint job. It’s testament to the E-Type’s advanced design and engineering that it can still be enjoyed and admired as passionately almost 60 years on,” Dan Pink, director of Jaguar Classic, said in a media statement at the time. “The E-type 60 Collection is a lasting tribute for E-type admirers, honoring the car’s legacy and the achievements of the team that created it.” Check out our latest Jaguar inventory!

Lamborghini Aventadors that Burned and Sunk in the Atlantic

Back from the Ashes: Lamborghini to Open Up Production on the Discontinued Aventadors that Burned and Sunk in the Atlantic.

We all heard about the thousands of cars – many of them luxury vehicles – that literally went up in flames on a ship at sea before it sank 13 days later. The vehicles were aboard a large cargo vessel 250 miles off the coast of Portugal when a fire broke out in March of 2022. As firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames, the ship’s 22-person crew was rescued. Mercifully, no humans were hurt. But about 4,000 cars were lost. And it’s still a mystery what, exactly, caused the fire. Among those cars that were lost were the last of the Lamborghini Aventadors. The V-12 Aventador Ultimaes were the last of their kind due to the fact that the Italian automaker is actively transitioning its lineup to 100 percent hybrid/electric powertrains over the next few years. It would have been a sad ending for the luxurious supercar. They were the last in production, meaning a handful of excited buyers would have had to give up their dream of owning that particular Aventador. But not anymore. more Lamborghini has saved the day, announcing that it will restart production of the supercar in order to replace those that were lost at sea. "We put our heads together, and luckily, we are able to replace those cars, so there will be no loss for our customers in the U.S. due to the sunken ship. This is good news," CEO Stephan Winkelmann told the media during a recent news conference. He said the automaker has worked out a way to fill the orders along with those of 70 other Lamborghini vehicles that were on the ship. “The Aventador was tricky, but we made it." Roughly 4,000 cars from Volkswagen-owned brands were on the ship Felicity Ace – including not only the Lamborghini but Bentley, Porsche, and Audi models as well. The ship was on its way from Germany to Rhode Island. The car brands are working with dealerships and customers to replace the lost vehicles and find solutions for each buyer, Cameron Batten, chief communications officer for Volkswagen Group of America, told the media. Replacing the Aventadors won’t be easy, Winkelmann said, due to the fact that there’s a shortage of wiring harnesses manufactured in the Ukraine that has made it necessary to switch to other suppliers for the needed component. Production of the Aventador Ultimae had been limited to 350 coupes as well as 250 convertibles. The sinking of the Felicity Ace comes at a time when the auto industry is already suffering from a number of pandemic-related supply chain issues. Lamborghini said it will build 15 examples of its final variant, the Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimate, which were among the 85 Lamborghinis lost when the ship sank. The other Lamborghinis lost, such as the Urus, are still in production. “This was the edition that was closing the production of the Aventador, and there were 15 on board of the ship,” Winkelmann told the media. “Luckily, we are able to replace those cars, so there will be no loss for our customers in the US due to the sunken ship.” The Aventador Ultimae is hand-assembled and also the last gas-powered V-12 in the Lamborghini lineup. So what do you do if the car you ordered burned on the ship? Technically, the vehicles belong to the automaker until the car is delivered to the customer – so personal insurance is not an issue. Instead, commercial insurance for vehicle manufacturers and the cargo company would come into play. Volkswagen Group maintains vendor relationships for shipping cars, not for each individual VW brand, a spokesperson for VW said recently. So now your options are to resubmit the order for the vehicle, maintain that deposit, and wait. Depending on the car you ordered it could be several months before it is delivered but we think it's worth the wait. Be sure to check out our latest Lamborghini cars.

Chrome car wrapping making a comeback

There's No Accounting for Taste: Is Chrome Car Wrapping Making a Comeback?

Chrome car wrapping may have peaked in the early 2,000s but when you scroll through the internet you might experience a nagging sense that it’s poised for a comeback. Nothing about chrome car wrapping is understated. And it may even be considered bad taste. But it’s still happening, even today. And if you long for that metallic shine and perhaps a blingy personalized color, chrome wrapping may be exactly what you are craving. Just don’t ask your dealership to do it. It’s not an actual thing among auto manufacturers. And one downside is that you might be pulled over by the cops more frequently due to its reflectivity. So what, exactly is a chrome car wrap? more A chrome wrap is actually a kind of vinyl wrap that gives your car’s exterior a glossy, reflective, and yes, metallic, look, kind of like you dipped your entire car in hot metal. Think Donald Trump’s penthouse interior with more color choices than gold. Chrome car wraps are thin but generally considered durable (especially by those who install them) and there are currently four top brands to choose from: Avery, Oracle, 3M, Rwraps, and WrapStyle. If you don’t find anything you like there, you can also opt for metalized and polyester films, according to the Topmarq blog. Such alternatives are not used as full car wraps. Instead, they can be employed for covering smaller parts of the car and creating special custom graphics that you choose. But let’s go back to chrome wraps, which allow you to choose from a seemingly endless rainbow of colors: Anything from the more “staid” black, gold and silver to flaming red or pink. (Who doesn’t love a metallic pink Land Rover? Or a glossy pink VW?) And of course, it’s going to cost you. For a sedan expect to pay up to $8,000. Larger cars like a Bentley or Rolls will run you $12,000 or more. So what are the pros and cons? Pros You will always make an entrance. There is nothing subtle about how your car will look once you chrome wrap it. In fact, everyone will stop and stare, gape-mouthed, as you drive by. It might help to prevent scratches. According to proponents, a wrap will actually protect your original paint job in the same way a high-quality synthetic wax does. (Not sure the folks at Rolls would agree with this but we’re just passing along some info from the pro-wrap world). So ostensibly you are preventing nicks and scratches from rock chips, branches, and debris. They can last several years. Drop a chrome wrap over that Bentley and you might not have to change it for five or six years. Imagine the impression you can make in that time frame! And, for better or worse, you will make an impression. The Cons It’s not cheap. As we already mentioned a glossy metallic wrap for your ride can set you back $6,000 to $8,000 or more depending on the size of the vehicle and the scope of the project. It’s difficult to maintain. The wrap may be susceptible to heat and cold so your car may have to be stored in a temperature-controlled environment, which can add extra cost. It’s a little tacky for most tastes. Despite the fact that you might think it looks cool, many others do not think a chrome wrap looks cool. In fact, you might be perceived as a bit out of touch if you drive around in a gold-plated car. We suggest sticking with the colors provided by your luxury car’s configurator or a tasteful tone available at your dealership. But there’s no accounting for taste…

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Unleashing a Legend: Rolls-Royce Road Tests its New All Electric Spectre and Promises Unsurpassed Power and Luxury. Here's What Makes it Great.

Rolls-Royce promises that it’s next automobile, the Spectre, will be fully electric, and that its entire fleet will be electric by 2030. Better for the environment? Yes. Lacking in luxury? No. In fact, the Spectre will sit on the same Architecture of Luxury as all Rolls-Royce automobiles. The venerable British automaker recently released more details about its first EV, which will be on sale by the end of next year. When it comes to the Rolls-Royce Spectre there’s a lot to be excited about. Here’s a look: It will a coupe, likely with rear-hinged doors. With its curved back end and seamlessly built-in spoiler, the Spectre has been compared to the Boat Tail Rolls-Royce cars of the early 20th century. It's a classic look for an automobile that is said to usher in an electric future for Rolls-Royce. Electric does not mean austere in the world of Rolls-Royce. The Spectre will look, perform and provide all luxury and comfort of a Rolls. And it will also have the iconic grille at the front of the car, albeit a purely cosmetic grille because it's an EV after all. It will undergo 1.5 million miles of testing before the world launch at the end of 2023. Rolls-Royce has started on-road testing of its first fully electric car on public roads. Rolls-Royce says it has created the most demanding test program in company history, covering 1.5 million miles in order to simulate 400 years of use. Engineers will evaluate the prototypes in “all four corners of the world to push this new motor car to the limit," according to Rolls. "They will be tested in all conditions and overall terrains on their multi-million-mile journey that will literally accelerate Rolls-Royce into the future.” more It will be spectacular. It will sit on the same Rolls-Royce Architecture of Luxury platform that underpins the Phantom, Cullinan, and Ghost. That means incomparable ride quality, acoustic characteristics that are unsurpassed, extreme passenger comfort, gorgeous exterior presence, and refined and luxurious interior space. Its hood ornament will be smaller. As part of its 111th anniversary, Rolls is unveiling a smaller, more aerodynamic Spirit of Ecstasy that will be part of the new Rolls-Royce Spectre - the venerable British brand’s first battery-electric vehicle. The brand’s re-imaging of the classic automotive mascot comes 111 years after the Spirit of Ecstasy was first registered as the specific intellectual property of Rolls-Royce. In her new form, she is more streamlined and graceful than ever before — the perfect emblem for the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, according to the automaker. The new version of the Spectre measures in at just 3.26 inches tall, compared to her predecessor’s 3.94 inches. It is not only lower and more dynamic but it closely resembles the drawings made by her creator, illustrator, and sculptor Charles Sykes, in the early 20th century. It will be fast. Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös told Car & Driver that the Spectre would need to offer at least the same level of performance as that provided by the company’s existing V-12–powered models. That means zero-to-60 mph in a searing 4.3-second zero-to-60-mph and a top speed of at least 155 mph. In fact, Rolls-Royce says the name "Spectre" suits the car “perfectly” because the car is “a silent, menacing creation. Powerful and edgy, but in profile, smooth, sleek, and elegant.” The company has not yet confirmed what batteries the Spectre will use, but it should compare with other top luxury EV's 470-mile range. It will be incredibly quiet. Even the non-electric Rolls-Royce cars with V12 engines are super quiet and the Spectre should be even more so. And with such little engine noise that could mean that outside noises like other vehicles, wind, road noises, might need to be tamed with some Rolls wizardry. The price is still a mystery. It should not surprise anyone that the Rolls-Royce Spectre will come with quite a price tag. Since Rolls vehicles start at $200,000-plus - and even a used version generally starts at $100,000. Car experts are estimating that the Spectre with start at between $300,000 and $350,000. The Spectre is, in fact, an entirely new Rolls-Royce. To sum it all up you can expect classic Rolls-Royce luxury, a plethora of options, and an array of highly-customizable packages via the automaker’s Bespoke design service. In the words of founder Charles Rolls: "The electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration, and they should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged.” That may have been 123 years ago but Rolls-Royce is celebrating its founder's prophetic vision with the unveiling of a legend. A re-cap of the Rolls-Royce Spectre’s features: The name Spectre was chosen to match the equally otherworldly Rolls-Royce model names such as Ghost, Phantom, and Wraith. Rolls-Royce brass called the unveiling of the Spectre the most significant day in the automaker’s history since May 4, 1904, when the company was ideologically born. The Spectre will be silent, refined, and capable of near-instant torque while at the same time able to generate tremendous power. The fulfillment of Charles Rolls’ prophecy, the Spectre represents a promise kept by the company’s founding fathers. The Spectre is the beginning of a new legacy for Rolls-Royce, carrying a name that is both powerful and evocative. This is the first stop in full electrification of the entire Rolls-Royce product portfolio by 2030.

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What's the Deal with the Rimac Nevera? Everything You Need to Know About this Mysterious Electric Hypercar.

With all the buzz around the Rimac Nevera you might be wondering about the origins of this exotic hypercar that wreaks of James Bond-level excitement and suspense. It’s been called the Hypercar 2.0. Capable of exceptional speed, and powerful beyond comprehension. In fact, the, 2022 Rimac Nevera is named for a mighty storm system and is a force like no other. But where did this mysterious car come from? Exotic and powerful to the extreme, the fully electric Nevera was designed, engineered, and handcrafted in Croatia, created to outperform in every way. Rimac’s history is an interesting lesson in how a modern automotive company can be born. Its origins actually date back to 2007, when an engineer named Mate Rimac began to convert his own BMW E30 to an electric powertrain in his garage, with funding from a group of small investors. more A few years later Rimac had created several patents, many of which were sold to allow the foundation of Rimac Automobili. The Rimac's eE30 soon became a testbed for Rimac's first concept cars, which subsequently became known among its own engineers as the "Green Monster." With continued research and development that turned into the Concept One car, which was unveiled at the 2011 Frenkfurt Motorshow. Rimac eventually created an initial production run of 88 units. The group later delved into Formula E Championship as a way of promoting its brand and they went on to develop the Concept One’s successor. Fast forward to now and we have the Nevera. By specializing exclusively in electric performance, Rimac was able to engineer and extract the most extreme performance on the planet inside the Nevera. Each of the Nevera’s wheels is independently driven by one dedicated electric motor that channels torque accordingly to give you unprecedented control and agility. Beneath its skin lies a carbon-fiber monocoque with bonded carbon roof, an integrated structural battery pack, and rear-carbon subframe. The structural core is lightweight, powerful, and exceptionally strong. With the Nevera, unparalleled performance meets real-time intelligence for an exceptional driving experience that you will never forget. Four electric motors churn out 1.4 megawatts - an incredible 1877 horsepower – and can take you from zero to 60 in a stratospheric 1.85 seconds. And unlike other electric cars, the Nevera gives more than just torque. The Nevera can also reach a searing top speed of 258 mph on the track, leaving competitors in the dust. Starting at $2.4 million. This is what Rimac has to say about what it does: “We design, engineer, and build the most advanced automotive technology possible. From developing and manufacturing era-defining hypercars to inventing and building ground-breaking new technologies. We challenge convention and push technology to the edge of possibility. Welcome to Rimac. This is our story.” Wow! More about the Rimac Nevera: -Named for a quick, sudden, and mighty Mediterranean storm, the 2022 Rimac Nevera represents power to the extreme. -The Nevera was designed to be the fastest accelerating car and the fastest electric car in the world today. -Not only is it visually striking but it carries exceptional speed and severity, a Hypercar with a capital H. -Rimac will make 50 Neveras for 2022 - each hand-crafted in Croatia for a total of 150 cars over time. -Four independent surface-mounted, carbon-sleeve, permanent-magnet electric motors and four independent inverters and gearboxes spell searing speed and performance. -The two front motors produce 220 kW (299 hp) each and the two rear motors produce 480 kW (653 hp) each. -The Nevera was handcrafted to perform beyond all expectations, with its inner workings made specifically for high performance. -The 120-kWh battery is shown to recharge from zero to 80 percent in as little as 19 minutes with 500 kW DC fast charging. -Expect purpose and performance - Nevera's bold but functional form is designed to exceed all expectations. -Expect precision engineering that pushes performance to the edge of possibility and beyond. -Rimac engineers found and developed the very best materials in order to handcraft everything from powertrain components to composites and in-car controls. -The 2022 Rimac Nevera's carbon-fiber monocoque is the largest and stiffest of any automobile on the market. Want to order a Rimac Nevera? Contact us today!

8

They Said it Could Never Happen but the Ferrari SUV is a Real Thing!

Uber-luxurious SUVs are selling like hotcakes within the high-end auto industry. But if you’d said a decade ago that Ferrari would create a sport utility vehicle many sports car enthusiasts would have said that day would never come. The words Ferrari and SUV just didn't belong in the same sentence, right? Wrong. Here it comes! The Ferrari Purosangue, which is Italian for “pure blood” is slated to begin production in 2022 and begin deliveries soon after. Here's what we know so far about the Ferrari Purosangue: It will be fast. The Italian automaker’s first SUV is powered by a V12 - and there’s a hybrid version that combines a V8 with an electric motor. Two fully electric models are also in development and will hit the market in coming years. more The driving experience is ah-mazing “I’ve driven it several times in the hills of Maranello,” Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna told the media recently. “And I can testify that the driving experience is really astonishing.” In fact, he said it will exceed all expectations. It’s long and sleek Ferrari has not unveiled much about what the Purosangue will look like or what it will cost. But early, heavily camouflaged photographs of the car suggest the all-wheel drive vehicle is long and sleek. In fact, thanks to its raised ride height it seems to look more like a glamorous GT cruiser than an SUV.  Featuring a long bonnet and swept greenhouse, the folks at Maranello are calling it a Ferrari Utility Vehicle. It will be all about you, the driver Being a Ferrari, it’s all about you, the driver, and your driving experience. Expect a driver-focused layout in the cockpit. It also has room for four adults and a generous cargo bay. And it’s filled with high-end leathers as well as sporty carbon-fiber trim. The exterior is still a bit of a mystery No detailed photos have been released. But according to the Motor1 website it will likely have quad exhaust tips. “We also believe the production-ready SUV will have larger wheels, but the rest of the vehicle is seemingly the finished product.”LED daytime running lights have also been spied and seem to be positioned above chunky air intakes, according to the website. To recap, here are the big features you might want to know about: The Ferrari SUV will ride on a new front mid-engine architecture with support for all-wheel drive. Purosangue has a dual-clutch gearbox, air suspension, and hybrid powertrains. The four-seat interior will accommodate a rear-seat entertainment system and there’s rumors a  flagship V12 will join electrified V6 and V8 engines. According to CNBC, the Ferrari SUV comes at just the right time. News reports suggest Ferrari had a strong fourth quarter last year, a spike that was caused by massive wealth creation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Italian company delivered a record 11,155 cars in 2021, up 22 percent from 2020. Now, its order book is “the strongest ever,” stretching into 2023, the company said. Along with releasing the new SUV, Ferrari is also gearing up for the shift to electric vehicles. The Italian automaker aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and is developing a range of hybrid and electric models to move it in that direction. Its first fully electric vehicle is due for release in 2025. The Italian automaker launched the V-8 hybrid SF90 Stradalein  2019. Most recently, the company unveiled the 296 GTB with a plug-in V-6 powertrain. “It’s important that we look and see how new technologies can help our brand,”  Vigna told the media. “For sure, the digital technologies, Web 3.0 and using the blockchain and NFTs is an area that can be interesting for us.”

15

The Spirit of Ecstasy Hood Ornament is Shrinking to Make the Battery-Electric Rolls-Royce Spectre More Aerodynamic

It just wouldn’t be a Rolls-Royce without a Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. Or would it? Back in the brand’s early days, not every car carried the mascot. But we'll get to that later... As part of its 111th anniversary, Rolls is unveiling a smaller, more aerodynamic Spirit of Ecstasy that will be part of the new Rolls-Royce Sceptre - the venerable British brand’s first battery-electric vehicle. The brand’s reimaging of the classic automotive mascot comes 111 years after the Spirit of Ecstasy was first registered as the specific intellectual property of Rolls-Royce. more Today’s Spirit of Ecstasy remains “the embodiment of our brand, and a constant source of inspiration and pride for the marque and its clients,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “(But) like our brand, she has always moved with the times while staying true to her nature and character.” In her new shorter form she is more streamlined and graceful than ever before — the perfect emblem for the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, according to the CEO. The new version measures in at just 3.26 inches tall, compared to her predecessor’s 3.94 inches. The new version is lower, more dynamic, and ... historically accurate. In fact, it closely resembles the drawings made by her creator, illustrator, and sculptor Charles Sykes, in the early 20th century. When originally sculpted, the Spirit of Ecstasy stood with her feet together, legs straight and tilting at the waist. Today, she stands with one leg forward, as if braced for the wind. Her robes – no, they are not wings - have been revised to make them more realistic and aerodynamic. “She leans forward, expressing our relentless pursuit of progress, and her dress gracefully flows in the wind, echoing the serenity of our products in motion,” said Anders Warming, director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Interestingly, the new Spirit of Ecstasy was digitally sculpted to better capture the essence of Syke’s original drawings. Of course, being a Rolls-Royce emblem, the process was highly detailed and painstaking. To keep her authentic yet contemporary, designers turned to stylists at Goodwood for their input on everything from her hair and clothes to her posture and facial expression. Until 1939, each individual Spirit of Ecstasy was made by Sykes himself. He even hand-polished each one! Back then, Rolls-Royce had limited production, making this task easier for one man to carry out. Today, these very special hood ornaments are still made the way Sykes made them, using the lost-wax process, aka cire-perdue. It’s an ancient procedure that actually dates from the third millennium B.C. The lost-wax process is a form of metal casting that starts with a wax model used to create a mold. Once the mold is constructed, the wax model is melted away, and molten metal is poured into the mold. Keep in mind that this is not the first time Rolls-Royce has altered the Spirit of Ecstasy. In fact, the original 1911 mascot was 6 7/8 inches tall. By the 1960s, she had changed eight times and then measured a shorter 4 5/16 inches tall. And, the distance from her nose to the tip of her outstretched robes shrank as well, from 5 inches to just three. Her base shape, stance, and positioning of her robes have also changed over the decades, according to Rolls-Royce. The new version created for the Spectre will appear on all future models. The existing design will continue to adorn the Ghost, Wraith, Dawn, Phantom, and Cullinan and their Black Badge variants. They are made by specialists in Southampton, England. Interestingly, company founder Sir Henry Royce disliked mascots/hood ornaments of any kind; and The Honorable Charles Stewart Rolls died in a flying accident in June 1910, so he never even saw the Spirit of Ecstasy. And back then, buying a Rolls-Royce didn’t ensure your car would get the hood ornament. In fact, it was an option you could purchase through 1939. And less than half of the 20,000 cars sold during that period came with one. Since then, many subsequent owners of those older cars have added them to make them look more like what people think of as a Rolls. And now, the British marque is celebrating its 111th birthday by unveiling a new, more aerodynamic version of the Silver Lady. Why? Aerodynamics appears to be the big reason for the design changes. The Spectre is the Rolls-Royce’s most aerodynamic vehicle ever. The drag coefficient (cd) is a mere 0.26, something which will help improve battery efficiency and speed. And, that figure is expected to improve as testing continues. “In her new form she is more streamlined and graceful than ever before—the perfect emblem for the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, Torsten says, “and for gracing the prow of our bold electric future.” The new Spirit of Ecstasy is scheduled to show up in showrooms on the Spectre in 2023. Contact any of our Rolls-Royce dealerships for more information.

1

Call it Kardashian Gray: The Reality Star Shells Out $100,000 to Paint Cars to Match Her Mansion

It might have to be re-named Kardashian Gray. The paint color Kim Kardashian recently chose for her luxury cars is causing a giant stir in pop culture media. That's because she shelled out roughly $100,000 to paint three of her luxury cars – including a Lamborghini and a Rolls-Royce - a hue called “ghost gray” so the vehicles would match her mansion. The Skims founder hired an outfit called Platinum Motorsports in Los Angeles to carry out the work, sources told the media. The so-called “ghost gray” color is said to be a “very specific Rolls-Royce gray.” And it wasn’t easy: Each car took about a month to complete due to the fact that each of the vehicles had to be taken dis-assembled in order to be sprayed. more Among the three cars Kardashian had painted: a Lamborghini Urus and a Rolls-Royce Ghost. Kim’s budget may be anything but austere but her aesthetic is quite clean. She loves to design her homes in neutral tones and keep in the interiors modern and simple. And now her cars match her abode! In a new video for Vogue, the reality star gave a tour of clean-lined mega-home and also gave viewers a look at her newly painted vehicles. During the interview, she said, “I've always been a car girl, I love cars, and I really wanted something different. I wanted my cars to blend in with my house which is grey. So I did all grey cars, instead of my typical matte silver, which I used to do. I picked out my Lamborghini Urus with a kit on the front, Rolls-Royce Ghost with a crystal lady….I love everything about it.” The Lamborghini, apparently, was the hardest to complete due to the intricate body kit on the front of the car. Interested in staying on top of the color trends for luxury cars? Here’s some info that might help you make that important decision for your car's exterior: Car & Driver is reporting that according to research by PPG, Kardashian was right on trend because grayscale shades – ranging from white to black - make up 3/4ths of paint colors on vehicles sold in the United States. Furthermore, blue, the next most popular color, took up about 9 percent of market share. But you might notice that today's automotive advertising is filled with brighter colors, a trend that has been making gains the past few years. You might have admired the Audi Q8's Dragon Orange Metallic. BMW’s compact M cars might catch your eye in Sao Paulo Yellow. Lamborghini, of course, will allow you to customize any portion of their Huracán or Aventador with just about any color you choose. Or maybe an even rarer color is your thing. In fact, just about any color is possible thanks to Porsche’s Paint to Sample program. It will cost you thousands of dollars but you can choose from a catalog of old colors and apply any of them to your new Porsche. Even better: If you can’t find that exact hue, the people at Porsche will create a color custom. And it will cost you twice as much. But it can be done! For that unusual buyer, Aston Martin and McLaren offer a wide selection of bold paint schemes, including bright lime yellow hues. Need a custom car color that's even more on the wild side? Car & Driver points to the bronzy palette of colors available for the McLaren 765LT. If you’re drawn to warmth you can choose Papaya Spark, which will attract eyeballs wherever you go. When it comes to stately elegance nothing beats a Bentley and with each passing year the available color schemes are becoming less staid. Think “light-blue Jetstream II Metallic” paint color for your exterior. You will create a buzz where every you go without sacrificing one ounce of luxury.

Ferrari Roma

La Dolce Vita Revisted: Why We're in Love with the Ferrari Roma

With its beautiful, refined proportions and sensuous yet timeless curves, the Ferrari Roma really is like something out of a Fellini movie. And in fact it’s been said that the Roma actually represents the pleasurable - or "sweet" - way of life that characterized Rome in movies of that era. This new mid-front-engined 2-plus coupé not only offers distinctive flare and timeless design, it’s simply downright gorgeous. It's contemporary, sexy and iconic all at the same time. Although beholding it’s sleek, muscular exterior lines never gets old, the Roma’s beauty is more than skin deep. There’s lots to love about the way this coupé performs. It’s one of several new models that Ferrari promised to have out by this year and we’re excited to take a closer look. more Here's what we love about the Ferrari Roma so far: Power. Not only is the Roma a thing of beauty, but it’s also thrilling to drive. Thanks to its turbo-charged 3.9 liter V8 that produces 612 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque you will absolutely feel the power. The engine reaches 620 cv at 7500 rpm and is paired with the new 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. You can expect responsive steering as well as precise handling only found in a great car like Ferrari. Luxury. With its sleek lines inspired by the stylish ‘50s and ‘60s Rome vibe and the grand touring Ferraris of the same era, you can rightly expect those same lines and curves to show up in the interior. The Frau leather interior blends seamlessly with sleek dual cockpit design and form fitting seats that seem to wrap around you and your front passenger, making everyone comfortable on longer drives.  Not only is there plenty of comfort but there’s nothing lacking when it comes to infotainment and connectivity. Speed. You may want to take in the sun-drenched Riviera, a dip in a fountain, cocktails at an outdoor café butt the Roma is also built for driving thrills. It can get from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 199 mph. Prepare yourself for some beautiful sound vibrations as you rev that engine. Ferrari engineers gave much attention to the sound produced by the exhaust system. They even redesigned it to remove any silencers and to add bypass valves to magnify naturally produced notes. Sophisticated Details. The Roma is “understated luxury” Ferrari style. And it’s a car that is absolutely designed to capture the romance and sophistication of  another time and place while remaining thoroughly modern. Extra sharp full-LED adaptive headlights with a horizontal light strip add to the sleek silhouette of the sculpted hood and grille, suggesting that the La Dolce Vita is no longer just a distant dream. This very special highly customizable car starts at $218,670. Some other features of the Roma we love: -The rear is muscular with its shoulders wrapped around 20-inch wheels as thin taillights and two sets of dual exhaust pipes denote the Roma’s power while creating a sleek look worthy of La Dolce Vita. -The dual cockpit includes separate cells for driver and passenger; main commands can be accessed via haptic controls on the newly designed steering wheel. -The rear window has a built-in spoiler that is flush within the rear of the car and deploys on its own under hard driving conditions to aid with downforce. -The Roma includes cutting-edge dynamic systems like its Side Slip Control 6.0, with a five-position manettino (steering-wheel-mounted switch), and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, which controls yaw angle by actuating individual brake calipers. -With a touch of a button next to the new flush door handle, the Ferrari key allows you to unlock the car effortlessly. -Lighter components throughout the Ferrari Roma reduce weight and result in a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. -A 16-inch digital instrument cluster gives you up to the minute information, and the 8.4-inch vertical touchscreen and a passenger screen, are highly intuitive. Can't get enough? Check out our Ferrari inventory. Contact Ferrari Silicon Valley Contact Cavallino Rosso St. Louis

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