The Maserati Ghibli: A powerful car named after a powerful wind celebrates 55 years

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog

Maserati is celebrating the 55^th anniversary of the Ghibli. On 3 November 1966, the Maserati Ghibli made its debut on the world stage, at the Ghia stand at the Turin Motor Show.

A new interpretation of the concept of a gran turismo car, the two-seater coupé was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The name recalled a wind, a tradition that continues to this day with the Grecale, part of the Trident brand’s new era.

The Ghibli is a powerful, warm wind in North Africa that carries with it a great deal of sand; the decision to take its name was no coincidence, given the car’s speed and the ‘heat’ of its technical and stylistic specifications.

In its presentation of the Ghibli, Maserati debuted a car with a sporty yet unostentatious impression: the engine was newly designed, based on the knowledge from the well-known 8-cylinder used in the Mexico. It was capable of delivering an output of 330 hp in the 4,700-cc version, and was followed by an even more powerful 4,900-cc version.

To leave more room for style by lowering the height of the hood, the engine was equipped with a dry sump – a solution used solely in racing, and was mounted on a tubular chassis, in a very low down position. This solution gave the car its typically assertive and slender appearance, one of the cornerstones of its success.

The design was entrusted to Ghia, which then had Giorgetto Giugiaro on its creative design team. The most significant design cue – the marker of a decisive change from the Ghibli’s predecessors – was the integration of the volumes: there was no distinction between the car’s body and the passenger compartment; they were neither separate nor overlapping, rather they were joined together as a single surface. While the lines were geometric and taut, Giugiaro’s hand ensured that the sense of stiffness could be smoothed out.

The most obvious new stylistic feature was the front, decidedly original for Maserati: the headlights were retractable and the very slim grille occupied the car’s entire front. The Trident logo remained in the middle, albeit smaller than before.

The side view enhanced the slender line of the Ghibli: a long, low bonnet, a heavily inclined windscreen, perfect proportions with no superfluous decoration. The triangular rear pillar took on its own identity, becoming an iconic component later taken up in other successful models from the Trident brand.

The changes from the past could also be seen in the conception of the two-seater interior, where the instruments were built into an overall design that prevailed over the individual components.

The result was a gran turismo car that remained true to the exclusive, luxury style, power and comfort – yet with an over-arching theme of racing – for which Maserati cars have always stood out.

After it was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show on 3 November 1966, the Ghibli was launched in the market in 1967. The following year, its interior was restyled and could also be fitted on demand with automatic transmission, as well as a 5-speed manual gearbox. From 1969, the Spyder version also became available, which could be equipped with a hard top; one year later, both models were also offered with a 4,900-cc engine, taking the name Ghibli SS. In this configuration, the car further strengthened its solid market position.

In all, between 1967 and 1972, 128 Ghibli Spyder and over 1,200 Ghibli coupé models were produced: one was purchased by Henry Ford (the founder’s grandson), who would place it in the lobby of the Ford Product Development Center in Detroit, as an example to follow and a source of inspiration.

An inspiration that has never ceased at the Trident brand: the Ghibli has always been considered an iconic car. In 2013, Maserati decided to unveil a new model, bringing back the Ghibli name for a sports saloon and thus starting another success story.

Maserati S.p.A.
Maserati produces a complete range of unique cars with an amazing personality, immediately recognisable anywhere. With their style, technology and innately exclusive character, they delight the most discerning, demanding tastes and have always been a global automotive industry benchmark. A tradition of successful cars, each of them redefining what makes an Italian sports car in terms of design, performance, comfort, elegance and safety, currently available on more than seventy markets internationally. Ambassadors of this heritage are the Quattroporte flagship, the Ghibli sports sedan, and the Levante, the first made by Maserati SUV, all models denoted by use of the choicest materials and technical solutions of the utmost excellence. Ghibli and Levante are now also available in hybrid version and are the Trident Brand’s first electrified cars. A complete range, including V6 and V8 petrol and 4 cylinder hybrid powerplants, with rear-wheel and four-wheel drive. The Trofeo Collection, comprising Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante, equipped with the powerful 580 hp V8 engine, is the supreme expression of the Trident Brand’s high-performing DNA. The top-of-the-range is the MC20 supercar, powered by the ground-breaking Nettuno V6 engine, incorporating F1-derived technologies now made available in the power unit of a standard production car for the first time. Today, the Maserati range is produced at three plants: Ghibli and Quattroporte are built at Grugliasco (Turin) at the Avvocato Giovanni Agnelli Plant (AGAP), and Levante at the Mirafiori Plant in Turin. MC20 is produced in Modena, at the historic Viale Ciro Menotti plant.

PEUGEOT updates 508 range

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog

PEUGEOT has updated the 508 and 508 SW models, with revised trim options, new interior features as well as exterior changes.

Available to order now, prices for the updated PEUGEOT 508 start from £28,215, with the 508 SW from £29,815.

Following customer feedback, PEUGEOT has streamlined the trim levels available across the 508 range. The PEUGEOT 508 and PEUGEOT 508 SW will now be available in Active Premium, Allure Premium, GT, GT Premium and PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED trim levels, with Allure trim no longer available, in line with customer preferences for higher trim level vehicles.

PEUGEOT has also introduced subtle styling changes across the 508 range. All models now come with black door mirrors instead of body-coloured ones, while the front grille from GT trim will evolve from chrome to an assertive dark chrome with a black surround. From Allure Premium trim onwards, all models come with full LED headlights as standard.

Available in Fastback or SW, the 508 can be purchased with efficient plug-in HYBRID, petrol and diesel powertrains. With emissions as low as 29g/km CO₂, plug-in HYBRID variants are ideal for fleet and business users, with Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rates from 10% and a zero emissions range of up to 39 miles (WLTP). By 2024, PEUGEOT will offer an electrified variant across its entire model line-up.

Earlier this year, PEUGEOT introduced the 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED to the range, the first model launched under the new PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED label. Available as a Fastback or a sleek estate SW model, the 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED introduces a new ‘Neo-Performance’ philosophy that combines PEUGEOT’s motorsport knowhow with its expertise in electrification.

The four-wheel drive (4WD) 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED features plug-in HYBRID electric technology and produces 360hp through combining an internal combustion engine with two electric motors. With up to 26 miles of zero emissions range (WLTP), the 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED comes with a low 12% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rate.

The PEUGEOT 508 and 508 SW line-up offers customers complete ‘Power of Choice’ and is packed with technological innovations and standard equipment across the range:

Active Premium
Active Premium models come standard with 16-inch ‘Cypress’ or ‘Brandon’ alloy wheels (depending on engine variants), automatic headlights and windscreen wipers. Inside, all models feature Mistral tri-material ‘Losange’ cloth seat trim with copper ‘Goa’ stich detail, Visio Park 1 with front and rear parking sensors as well as a 180-degree reversing camera.

All models also come with PEUGEOT’s i-Cockpit® with a configurable 12.3-inch head-up digital instrument panel and an eight-inch capacitive colour touchscreen, as well as PEUGEOT’s compact multi-function steering wheel. Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto are also standard across all models. For improved safety, Active Premium models as standard come with PEUGEOT Connect SOS and Assistance, as well as PEUGEOT’s Safety Pack which features; Advanced Automatic Emergency Braking System, Distance Alert, Speed Limit Information/Intelligent Speed Adaptation, as well as Active Lane Keeping Assistance.

Allure Premium
Allure Premium models add 17-inch ‘Merion’ diamond cut two-tone alloys, with the interior seating upgraded to a Mistral tri-material ‘Mila’ leather effect and ‘Brumeo’ cloth seat trim with grey ‘Beton’ stich detail. The PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® is also upgraded with a 10-inch High Definition capacitive colour touch screen with Connected 3D Navigation and a three-year subscription to traffic alerts, while the Safety Pack Plus adds Passive Blind Spot Detection, Advanced Driver Attention Alert, PEUGEOT Smartbeam Assistance and Speed Limit and Road Sign Recognition and Recommendation. Allure Premium models also come with the Drive Assist Pack Plus as standard, which adds Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go as well as Lane Positioning Assist.

GT
GT variants move to 18-inch ‘Sperone’ diamond cut two-tone alloys wheels and come with designated GT badging around the vehicles as well as a chequered radiator grille for improved styling. The rear of the vehicle also houses PEUGEOT’s full LED 3D signature ‘Claw Effect’ lights. Inside, GT variants come with Mistral tri-material ‘Belomka’ leather effect and ‘Ornis’ cloth seat trim with Aikinite double stich detail, with the interior ambiance improved by blue ambient lighting inside the front door panels and centre console.

GT Premium
Top of the range GT Premium variants can be specified with either 18-inch (Plug-in Hybrids) or 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels (ICE). Inside, GT Premium models come with Mistral leather effect and Alcantara® seat trim with the front seats featuring electric adjustment and heating. A FOCAL® premium HIFI speaker system improves the acoustic experience, while Visio Park 3 adds a 360-degree HD colour camera system and fully automated parking assistance for improved convenience.  

508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED
508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED models come standard with 20-inch ‘EXXAR’ two-tone diamond cut alloy wheels, and a choice of three striking colour options; Nera Black, Selenium Grey or Pearlescent White, with each vehicle featuring the ‘Kryptonite’ colour signature.

All 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED models also come with PEUGEOT’s Active Suspension for an improved ride, and Drive Assist Pack Plus which adds Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and Lane Positioning Assist.

Inside, all models come with Mistral Nappa Leather with Alcantara® seats with heated and massage function for front passenger and driver. 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED models also come with the FOCAL® premium HIFI speaker system, wireless smartphone charging as well as Connected 3D Navigation and Visio Park 3 with 360-degree High Definition colour camera.

Prices for the 508 range start from £28,215.00 OTR, while 508 SW prices start from £29,815.00 OTR.

PEUGEOT 508 prices

PEUGEOT 508 SW prices

Aston Martin Works’ Vanquish Day celebration sets a record for the largest-ever gathering of the great British sports car

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog

As Aston Martin continues to celebrate 20 years of one of its iconic supercars – the original V12 Vanquish – it is now also celebrating a new record for the largest gathering of V12 Vanquish ever seen.

Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire – the heritage home of the marque and the place where all 2,589 V12 Vanquish, V12 Vanquish S, and V12 Vanquish S Ultimate Edition models were built between 2001 and 2007 – hosted its unique Vanquish Day on Sunday 31 October when owners from all over the UK attended in their cars to create the new record.

A total of 78 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish from all corners of the country made the trip to the heritage home of the brand to celebrate the two decades since the first production version of the sports car was revealed.

Also in attendance were cars that highlighted the significance of the V12 Vanquish story in the history of Aston Martin – from the Project Vantage concept car which pointed the way to its production-ready cousin when it was revealed in 1998, to the Aston Martin CALLUM Vanquish 25, a modern reimagining of the original car created by its designer Ian Callum.

The world-renowned former Aston Martin designer of cars such as the DB7 and V12 Vanquish took time out to attend the event and addressed the scores of owners who had travelled to Newport Pagnell for the record-breaking celebration.

A unique, and light hearted, V12 Vanquish-only ‘concours’ competition was officiated by Aston Martin Owners’ Club Chief Judge Mark Donoghue, with all those who attended on the day also receiving a very special Aston Martin Works shield car badge denoting their participation in the celebrations.

President of Aston Martin Works, Paul Spires, commented: “We are indebted to the owners of these remarkable cars for making Sunday such a fantastic day, and by turning out in such numbers ensuring we set a new V12 Vanquish record.

“Despite dubious weather and, in many cases, big distances to drive, the celebration was hugely well supported, and I’m very pleased that so many people were able to help us mark this important anniversary for what was, until the marque’s Continuation programme was established in 2017, the final Aston Martin production car to leave Newport Pagnell.”

Innovative for sure: Audi sets safety standards at the Dakar Rally

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog

• Holistic safety concept of the Audi RS Q e-tron
• Valuable knowledge from circuit racing flows into Dakar project
• High standards of passenger protection are a tradition at Audi Sport

Long before Audi unveiled the RS Q e-tron to the public in summer 2021, the racing engineering team was already intensively involved in the Dakar Rally.

The risks in off-road racing were at the centre of the considerations for a sophisticated safety concept. From the electrical safety of the high-voltage system to optimum passenger protection in the event of accidents, the design department mastered many challenges.

The protective and load-bearing basic structure of the Audi RS Q e-tron consists of a tube frame. The regulations stipulate that this structure be made of metallic materials. Audi has opted for a heat-resistant, alloyed quenched and tempered steel from the aerospace industry that contains the alloying elements chromium, molybdenum and vanadium (CrMoV). The tube frame complies with the geometry defined in the regulations and fulfils the required static pressure tests. Audi additionally protects the drivers with panels made of composite materials in the spaces between the frame. These components made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), in some cases supplemented by the tear-resistant Zylon, prevent the penetration of sharp and pointed objects from outside.

Likewise, they protect the drivers and co-drivers from any problems with the high voltage system. “The structural design of the frame incorporated methods and findings that we have honed over decades in many disciplines,” says Axel Löffler, Chief Designer RS Q e-tron. These include the tubular frame designs from the DTM (2004 to 2011) as well as the sheet steel chassis in rallycross (2017 to 2018) and the CFRP monocoques in the LMP sports cars (1999 to 2016), in the DTM touring car (2012 to 2020) and single-seater racing in Formula E (2017 to 2021).

Hardly any other automobile manufacturer has realized so many programs with such breadth and success. But it is not only in the chassis area that Audi benefits from its valuable wealth of knowledge. Depending on the component, the body is made of CFRP, Kevlar or composite construction, in some cases supplemented by an internal honeycomb structure. In the interests of high scratch resistance, a heated laminated glass windshield from the Audi A4 is used, while the side windows are made of lighter polycarbonate. Minimizing occupant stress is helped by the maximized field of vision and the seal against dust. In the cockpit, the driver and passenger sit in CFRP shells. Their design is similar to that of the DTM and LMP. The deformability in the shoulder area required by the regulations is one of the few differences. While all the seat shells are identical, the foam inlays and inflatable seat cushions adapted to each body individually perfectly absorb impacts.

The high-voltage system of the electric drive with its energy converter requires multiple protection. The encapsulation of the centrally located and thus particularly safe high-voltage battery comprises CFRP structures, some of which are reinforced by Zylon. The protection at the bottom is very complex. In off-road sports, the underbody is the assembly subjected to extreme stresses, including meter-high jumps, whirled-up stones and large ramp angles. Its lowest layer consists of an aluminium plate. It resists abrasion by hard objects and partially absorbs impact energy. The energy-absorbing foam above absorbs the impacts and distributes them to the sandwich structure above. This third structure protects the high-voltage battery and the gasoline tank of the energy converter. The CFRP sandwich structure performs two main tasks: The absorption of the surface load, which is passed on from the aluminium plate via the foam, and the dissipation of energy by crushing when the surface load is exceeded. This controlled collapse thus protects the battery above. In the event of excessive damage, the assembly can be easily replaced during the evening service in the rally bivouac.

In total, this underbody with its triple protection against impacts and intrusions is 54 millimetres thick. “With these designs, we see a direct transfer of our knowledge from the circuit to cross-country rallying,” says Axel Löffler. “And there are further parallels, for example in the loads for the chassis and underbody. Admittedly, the energies are higher offroad because of the long suspension travel, the duration of the load and the vehicle mass. But the g-forces measured are similar to those of Le Mans prototypes.”

Further measures complete Audi’s high-voltage protection concept. An ISO monitor, known from LMP and Formula E, detects dangerous fault currents. In the event of maximum kinetic loads, such as a collision, the system switches off automatically above a threshold value. Control lamps on the body and an acoustic signal tone serve as danger warnings to the outside world – for example after an accident. Optimum insulation of the system against water during river crossings and an electrically insulating extinguishing agent in the onboard fire extinguishing system protects passengers in these extreme physical situations. The entire team, including drivers and co-drivers, also underwent high-voltage training in advance, as did rescue teams from the organizer.

Other regulations and devices provided by the organizer round off the overall safety concept. For example, the occupants can make an emergency call via a safety tracking system including an SOS switch and be found quickly. An accident data recorder records the most important measured variables for later analysis. An onboard surveillance camera shows what is happening in the cockpit. The Sentinel system makes overtaking safer in the dust typical of the desert. And finally, the regulations limit the top speed in the T1 category to 170 kph.

With this holistic approach, Audi is now continuing its role as one of the masterminds of safety in motorsport in the desert as well. Audi factory drivers Stéphane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz and Mattias Ekström as well as their co-drivers Edouard Boulanger, Lucas Cruz and Emil Bergqvist can look forward not only to the RS Q e-tron as the most innovative prototype for cross-country rallying but also to maximum safety.

TV presenter Mike Brewer puts five cars from his personal collection up for sale

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog