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Bugatti opened a showroom at La Rascasse

April 24, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

Monaco and its streets are home to one of the most interesting and perhaps the most difficult races in Formula 1, and it is considered the jewel of the F1 calendar. This place is very important for Bugatti, for which it has good memories, and now the company has opened a showroom in this location.

Bugatti, which achieved victory in the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929, competed with the Type 35B car driven by William Charles Frederick Grover. Louis Chiron, the Bugatti driver after whom the Chiron model was named, was also born in Monaco in 1899. He won the same race (Monaco Grand Prix) 32 years later, and although Bugatti is not currently in Formula 1, the brand has returned to one of its “spiritual homes”.

The salon is located in the legendary La Rascasse, and the Bugatti W16 Mistral has a central position in the salon. During the opening, guests could also see unique cars such as La Voiture Noire, one of ten Centodieci hypercars produced in honor of the EB110 model, the Divo and the hand-painted Chiron Pur Sport known as the Gran Prix.

Bugatti Mistral is powered by a centrally located turbocharged 8-liter W16 engine with 1,600 hp (1,177 kW) and 1,180 lb-ft (1,600 Nm) of torque. The same engine powers the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. It reaches 62 mph (100 km / h) in just 2.4 seconds, 124 mph (200 km / h) in 5.8 seconds, and 186 mph (300 km / h) in about 12 seconds. The top speed that the Bugatti Mistral can reach is electronically limited to 273 mph (440 km / h). Power is transmitted to all wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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Bugatti opened a showroom at La Rascasse

Source: Bugatti

EV, News

2023 Maserati Grecale Folgore

April 24, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

At Auto Shanghai, which takes place from Apr 18, 2023 – Apr 27, 2023, Maserati revealed a powerful all-electric SUV with a respectable range, the Maserati Grecale Folgore.

The car has better aerodynamics and is equipped with air suspension, illuminated side vents, a new front fascia inspired by the Trofeo model with a grille that is partially closed, a new diffuser, copper brake calipers and copper badges. Buyers can also get the exclusive Rame Folgore package for the exterior, in which case “warm copper tones coexist in the sun with cooler shades of bluish gray in the shadow areas.”

Inside, the seats with 14 adjustment modes and a heating and ventilation system are covered with Econyl (regenerated nylon made from waste such as fishing nets, scraps of fabric and carpets. It has the same high quality as virgin nylon, without the traditional process of deriving it from oil). The details on the dashboard, as well as the carbon 3D details on the center console and door panels are matched with the seats. The driver has at his disposal a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as a 12.3-inch infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems and Intelligent Assistant, as well as an 8.8-inch lower screen and head-up display.

The Maserati Grecale Folgore is powered by two electric motors with a total power of 550 hp (410 kW) and 605 lb-ft (820 Nm) of torque. It is equipped with a 105 kwh battery that enables a range of 500 km, and 400V technology that supports 150 kW DC fast charging. The battery is charged from 20 to 80 percent capacity in 29 minutes. The driver can choose between three driving modes: GT, Sport, Off-Road and Max Range. It reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 220 km/h.

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Source: Maserati

News

2023 Hongqi L5 – the most luxurious and expensive Chinese car

April 23, 2023 Francis Mitterrand

The new Hongqi L5 was premiered at the Shanghai Auto Show. It is the most luxurious and expensive Chinese car that looks like a presidential limousine.

The first generation Hongqi L5 was released at the same event ten years ago and priced at CN¥5 million Renminbi (US$800,000). It was used by the former General Secretary of the Communist Party (paramount leader), the current President of China, Xi Jinping.

The car does not differ much from its predecessor, but it still brings several improvements, such as a chrome radiator grille, a redesigned front bumper with new lights, a black lower part of the radiator grille with a central chrome element, an upright front fascia, elongated rear side windows, chrome details around the side windows and additional chrome details on door handles and rims. The company offers the car with a blue and white body.

Inside, in front of the driver is a two-spoke steering wheel, while there are three massive screens on the dashboard. Hongqi decided not to put all the functions in the screen, keeping a few buttons located on the dashboard and along the center console.

When it comes to the powertrain, there isn’t enough information, at least for now. The first generation was offered with two engine types: a 4.0-liter V8 engine with 381 hp (280 kW), paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all wheels, and a 6.0-liter V12 engine paired with a 6-speed TB -68 automatic transmission.

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