News

Not for a long time has there been such a range of top new model launches. The Rolls Royce Ghost, Bentley Mulsanne, Ferrari 458 Italia, Aston Martin Rapide, Mercede Benz SLS for now and the hotly anticipated McLaren MP4 12C. The Rolls is actually a great achievement with a lovely design that is more than a shrinked Phantom. A car you can drive and be driven in. Early launch cars  are available from December for modest premiums on the £200k official price. The Mulsanne is a handsome replacement for the venerable Arnage and takes on the Ghost at the same price point. This is the first time there have been a new Rolls Royce and Bentley saloon launched from different DNA for many years.

 

The Ferrari 458 Italia is widely acclaimed as a stunning design incorporating styling cues from both the Enzo and the Dino. Maranello have used this opportunity to raise the price point significantly from the outcoming F430 and prices are due to start at £175K. By the time you add options including the very reasonably priced Yellow Scudreria wing shields (£400) there will be little change from £200K. With the usual theatre of lead times and ordering from Ferrari there will be a premium market for this car for some time.

 

The Aston Martin Rapide finally comes to the market already facelifted from the previous preproduction  motor show cars at £140K. It is without question the best looking 4 door sports coupe on the market. The first Rapides are due on the road around March 2010. The Gullwing doored SLS follow up to the SLR, this time manufactured solely by Mercedes Benz. At almost half the price of the SLR, this SLS will be a great choice around £150K for those why like the looks. Or save a 30/40k and buy an SL63AMG.

 

In the sub £100K space the Porsche Panamera makes its case but divides opinions on looks. For my money the Jaguar XFR at £60K is a compelling sports saloon and the diesel version with the excellent new 3.0 diesel from sub £40K is an excellent daily drive. I am looking forward to the new Jaguar XJ which inside rivals the Bentley for interior ambience and layout. We have just delivered a few of the new 2010 Range Rovers and these really have been upgraded. The Vogue TDV8 now has many new features including a split screen in the dash allowing the driver to see the navigation whilst the passenger views a movie. The petrol engined 4.2 supercharged version has been replaced with the new 5.0 litre engine producing 510hp and offering a huge performance uplift. The entry level 2.7 diesel in the Sport has been replaced with the tremendous 3.0 diesel shared with the new Jaguar.

 

Enhanced versions of existing cars
Aston Martin have now added the Touchtronic transmission and provided optional rear seats for the DBS and introduced the Volante. You cannot argue with the looks but  the near £180k price ticket is a big ask when compared with the Ferrari California which is nearly £30K cheaper. Equally the V12 Vantage takes this baby Aston up to north of £130K. By all accounts a sensational drive. One to keep and drive as there is no flip here!

 

The successful Speed  variant of the Bentley GT is now available in the GTC and for my money the best allround superconvertible with space for 4 and better steering as well as the extra horsepower. Audi continues to imprint its place in the supercar sector with the R8V10 Spyder. This rag top mid engined Audi at circa £110K offers the Gallardo derived motor for £50K less. If you need a 4 seater convertible  then look no further than the new Maserati GranCabrio which is available from April for £96,000.

 

To see a short video of all these new models we took at the Frankfurt Motor show, click here.