Welcome to Motoring Monday for October 6th ,2014. We’re all about the exotica presented at the Paris Motor Show this week including Lamborghini, Infiniti and even Volkswagen. And in our test drives, we get behind of the wheel of the hot new 2015 Mustangs.
Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4
At the Paris Motor Show this week Lamborghini unveiled the Asterion LPI 910-4 Concept, the company’s first plug-in hybrid super-car.
And if you think being a hybrid means this bull has become a steer headed for the slow lane with Prius drivers, think again. A V10 and three electric motors deliver some 910 horsepower when combined.
That’s enough power to accelerate from 0-60 in under 3 seconds and motor to a top speed of nearly 200 mph. In electric mode the Asterion can travel up to 30 miles and at speeds up to 75 mph with that V10 turned off
The power-train starts with a 5.2 liter 610 horsepower V10 mounted mid-ship as in other Lamborghini models which drives the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
A center tunnel mounted lithium-ion battery pack which can be plugged in to charge, powers the front wheels with two separate electric motors. A third motor generator is located between the V-10 and its transmission. All together the electric motors provide up to 300 horsepower on their own.
With this power-train the Asterion can drive in hybrid mode, combining the V10 with all three electric motors through all four-wheels. In electric mode, the front wheels operate independently of the V10.
Lamborghini says the the hybrid drive-train adds 550 lbs to the Asterion who’s name comes from a mythical Minotaur. Asterion is a hybrid figure part man and part bull, a name seemingly created centuries ago to be lent to this car.
The Asterion’s carbon fiber monocoque body structure and style are typical Lamborghini with curves and forms that are just shy of needing to be hidden from children’s eyes. In case you were curious, those wheels are 20” and 21” inches in size.
The Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 is a concept for now, but don’t be surprised to see on in production before the decade is out.
Infiniti Q80 Inspiration
Infiniti headlined the Paris Motor Show with their concept which foretells the brand’s intent for the top-class luxury sedan segment.
The aggressive and artfully sculpted Q80 Inspiration Infiniti says boldly, is their vision of what a future premium halo sedan from the brand will take form.
Called a four-door fastback, the Infiniti Q80 Inspiration is large. Measuring 79” wide and 199” long it casts a shadow similar to a Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series
It is indeed a daring design, long and low. In fact it’s height at 53” is 5” to 6” lower than those other two cars and really almost puts it in Porsche Panamera territory. Details like its swept C-Pillar and super-car like frontal design set it apart from the formal look of its peers.
The concept explores autonomous driving technology which uses cameras, lasers and sensors, to perform what will become common place in our lifetimes, driver-less motoring.
We’ll be saving gasoline at least as the Q80 Inspiration showcases a hybrid power-train. Don’t despair however, when you do choose to drive yourself you will have 550 horsepower on tap.
A twin turbocharged 3.0 liter V6 and electric motors forecast a power-train Infiniti says is production intent within the next two years. It’s said to offer over 40 mpg in a car such as the Q80.
The Q80 Inspiration is a concept but as its name fits into the current Infiniti lineup, its safe to say its on its way likely by 2017 model year.
Volkswagen XL Sport
The Paris Motor Show is known for artful and striking concept cars, and Volkswagen was right on cue unveiling their XL Sport.
But this one isn’t a concept car. Expanding on their XL1 franchise, the new XL Sport leverages Volkswagen’s ownership of the Ducati brand and crossbreeds the two icons for a stunning and exclusive sports car.
Based on the Volkswagen XL1, the most fuel-efficient production car of all time, the XL Sport is infused with a V-Twin engine from the also exclusive Ducati 1199 Superleggera motorcycle.
The 197 horsepower 1.2 liter Ducati engine is just slightly modified for its use in the XL Sport and can rev to an astounding 11,000 rpm. It’s power goes to the rear wheels through a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox.
Volkswagen says the XL Sport can accelerate from 0-60 in about 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 168 mph. This change in performance from the XL1 required new bones underneath.
Thus, the XL Sport received a redesigned chassis with dual-wishbone suspension with pull-rod dampers up front and push-rod dampers at the rear.
Because the car is quite petite, its 18” wheels look rather large. Rubber is also somewhat minimal at a 205 section up front and 265 out back.
Only 250 copies of the Volkswagen XL Sport will be hand built, and unfortunately we can count on none of them for sale in the States.
Test Drives
The all new 2015 Mustang dominated our test drive log book this week as we got our first seat time in the all-new Pony car from Ford.
First up was the new for 2015 Mustang 2.3 liter EcoBoost. A step up from the base V6 Mustang, the four-cylinder turbocharged model boasts 310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft or torque.
Our tester featured the six-speed automatic transmission which had standard paddle shifters. The new engine impressed with its linear power band and non-existent turbo lag.
Because our test car was a premium trim grade it had the best of Mustang’s interior with leather seats and the newest version of Ford’s infotainment offerings.
Want more power? So did we. The 2015 Mustang GT was next up, giving the all-new independent rear-suspension 420 horsepower to handle.
As our test drive was short, the driving impressions were limited to what we could accomplish legally but we weren’t disappointed.
The new chassis feels distinctly modern and sharp. Gone is the truck-like handling and wrap up of the old live axle.
The interior of our base Mustang GT featured the comfortable Recaro seating option which I recommend. Good news is that even the base trim switchgear and center stack look and feel expensive.
Watch our complete test drives on both all-new 2015 Mustang models at TestDriven.TV or our YouTube Channel.
Reality Check: Dodge Brothers
In our reality check segment this week we look at a new marketing campaign in which Dodge celebrates the life and imagery of the Dodge brothers with their new muscle cars.
The commercials and ad spots talk of the wild natured Dodge brothers who lived large in the early 1900’s, transforming their wild chromosomes to a legacy of which the new Hellcat muscle cars were born.
The backside of this wild life the Dodge brothers lived is often alleged by historians to have been their downfall. They were well known for their penchant for hard partying and saloon antics.
It was during prohibition when they attended the New York Auto Show and both contracted a terrible flu and pneumonia. Some historians claim it was a batch of bad home made liquor.
Either way, John Dodge died shortly there after at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in New York. Brother Horace survived that but died later that year due to cirrhosis of the liver.
But who am I to spoil a good party, motor on you bad Dodge boys!
Money Shot
Now its time for our Money Shot, where we grab the hottest photo from this week’s press releases and show it to ya!
The Aston Martin Lagonda will return soon. The ultra exclusive saloon is a car we truly cannot have as it will be sold to existing owners by invitation only, and most in the Middle East. No pricing or specifications were announced, because when you look like this it just doesn’t matter.
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