The 100 kWh battery also increases range substantially to an estimated 315 miles on the EPA cycle and 613 km on the NEDC cycle, making it the first to go beyond 300 miles and the longest range production electric vehicle by far.

The larger battery pack is also available on the Model X, making the world’s quickest SUV even faster. Model X P100D with Ludicrous mode accelerates to 60 mph in 2.9* seconds and travels up to 289 miles EPA estimated and 542 km on the NEDC cycle on a single charge. Model X is also a pure electric SUV and can seat up to seven adults.

Model S and Model X are engineered to be the safest cars on the road and to have the highest ratings from NHTSA. Both have access to the Tesla Supercharger network for the freedom to travel long distance for free. And every Tesla will improve over time with free over the air upgrades.

Tesla customers who have ordered a P90D Ludicrous, but not taken delivery, can upgrade to the 100 kWh pack for $10,000. Existing P90D Ludicrous owners can also upgrade to a 100 kWh pack, but for $20,000, as their used 90 kWh pack will have to be recycled.

While the P100D Ludicrous is obviously an expensive vehicle, we want to emphasize that every sale helps pay for the smaller and much more affordable Tesla Model 3 that is in development. Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development.

The post Tesla Model S: Quickest Production Car in the World appeared first on Creativo Manhattan.

The hydroplane has been compared to a “Batboat” by its admirers, but designer Chris Phillips didn’t have the caped crusader in mind when he was building the craft.

Chris, 35, had always wanted to build the first ever high-speed hydroplane craft for leisure use that will be available on general sale.

Up until now the motor boats, designed to skim over the surface of the water, have only been on the market for racing.

He spent five years constructing a prototype under a canopy on his dad’s farm in Ringwood, Hants, and had to sell his car to see the project over the line.

With a marine-adapted 9.4 litre engine originally designed for American NASCAR racers, Chris spent £40,000 on producing the four-seat vessel which boasts 750 horsepower and can reach speeds of 60 knots.

The boat, named Alpha-Centauri, was only compared to something from a Batman movie after Chris sprayed it black.

He said: “It wasn’t supposed to look like Batman’s boat when I made it, but after we sprayed it black everyone was saying it and we’re embracing it.

“The design uses computational fluid dynamics in order to give a low coefficient of drag while maintaining stability at speed.”

Similar hydroplane machines have previously been the preserve of the racing circuit but Chris’s design, which includes an accelerator pedal rather than a throttle lever, is aimed at “anybody who wants to have fun” on the water.

The concept was almost never seen by the public after Chris ran out of money in the weeks before he was set to transport it from the farm to the famous Southampton Boat Show.

The engineer secured the funds after selling his prized Maserati, a move that appears to have worked after he was approached by investors who plan to help him mass-produce the distinctive looking boats.

He already has five orders and is set to make them on premises near his home in Fordingbridge, Hants.

Chris said: “This is the first hydroplane to be built for the luxury market – until now they have all been racing boats.

“It’s been designed primarily as a super-yacht toy and I am hoping this will completely change the face of power boats and allow people to show off like never before.

“It took me five years to build on my dad’s farm, but it’s something I’ve been dreaming about all my life.”

He added: “I started making models of hydroplanes when I was about eight or nine. I grew up around boats – but mostly old wooden ones – and I always found myself looking out at the the speed boats.

“I started building this prototype five years ago on my dad’s farm in a polytunnel.

“By the time it was completed I was completely out of money and had to sell my car to get it down to Southampton for the boat show.

“Thankfully that seems to have paid off. We are about to sign a significant deal with an investor so we can produce them on a larger scale, and we already have several potential buyers lined up.”

The post Batman-Inspired Luxury Hydroplane Alpha Centauri appeared first on Creativo Manhattan.

The new Audi A8 and A8 L are being built at the Neckarsulm site and will appear on the German market in late fall 2017. The starting price for the A8 is EUR 90,600, with the A8 L starting at EUR 94,100.

Doyen of Audi style: the exterior design

Sports appeal, lightweight construction and quattro – the design of the new A8 perfectly conveys Audi’s fundamental values. It embodies sporting elegance, sophistication and progressive status. The new flagship model takes the brand into a new design era.

The hexagonal Singleframe grille dominates the sedan’s upright front end. With its low position and width, it determines all adjoining lines and surfaces. The headlight shapes merge perfectly with the Singleframe. With the optional HD Matrix LED headlights, the daytime running lights are a visual extension of the grille’s top lamella. The segmented light signature divides the headlights horizontally, creating an elegant overall impression. Substantial chrome frames surround the air inlets, with a flat center inlet connecting them.

The Side View Silhouette

The side view with the coupé-like silhouette highlights the sporty character of the new A8. Its proportions accentuate both the front and rear wheels – prominent muscular shapes above the wheels are pointers to the brand’s quattro DNA. The low shoulder line starts right up at the headlights and runs across the door handles as far back as the rear lights. A fold below the window capping also emphasizes length. The sill rises to the rear in typical Audi style and lends the new A8 a dynamism worthy of a luxury-class car.

The rear end is inclined slightly in the direction of travel, appearing to push the sedan along even when stationary. The defining element of a lighting strip extends across the entire width. It radiates high intrinsic value thanks to the embedded chrome strip. The segmented OLEDs adjoin at its ends and combine to form a signature. Another chrome strip in the lower part of the bumper integrates the trapezoidal trims of the exhaust system.

There is a choice of twelve colors for the A8, including the new Audi colors Terra Gray, Vesuvius Gray and Seville Red. The colors Impala Beige and Navarra Blue are available for the A8 for the first time. Via the Audi exclusive program, customers can also have the luxury sedan supplied in a color of their personal choice. For those who want their car to create an even more striking visual impact, there is the option of a chrome exterior package.

HD Matrix LED, laser, OLED: the lighting

Audi leads the way in lighting technology and design. In the new A8, the technologies interact intelligently with the surroundings. For example, Audi laser lighting is used here for the first time with HD Matrix LED high beams. The laser spot is identified by an X-shape shutter and is also accentuated by blue ambient lighting. The daytime running lights with the vertical segments emphasize the technical elegance of the headlights. The laser spot is activated from a speed of 70 km/h (43.5 mph) and doubles the range of the high beam.

Each HD Matrix LED high-beam unit consists of 32 small, individually controlled light-emitting diodes that project the light in two lines. This new configuration ensures that the A8 provides even more dynamic and precise illumination together with the variable-control low-beam headlights. The light cone blanks out exclusively other road users, so as not to dazzle them. The high-precision control for the HD Matrix LED high beam is based on data supplied by the front camera.

Even more efficient: engines with MHEV technology

At its market introduction in Europe, the new Audi A8 will start out with two extensively reengineered V6 turbo engines, a 3.0 TDI with 210 kW (286 hp) and a 3.0 TFSI with 250 kW (340 hp). The two V8 versions will follow: The 4.0 TDI develops 320 kW (435 hp), and the 4.0 TFSI has a power output of 338 kW (460 hp). Also appearing later on is the W12 for the A8 L, developing 430 kW (585 hp). All engines offer supreme refinement, ample performance and high efficiency. The new mild hybrid technology (MHEV, mild hybrid electric vehicle) drives down fuel consumption even further – by as much as 0.7 liters (0.3 US gal) of fuel per 100 kilometers (62.1 mi) in real driving conditions. Particulate filters for the gasoline engines will follow in 2018.

The post The New Audi A8 Is the Future of the Luxury Class appeared first on Creativo Manhattan.

With this latest update, Lexus looks to build on the model’s strengths and evolve upon the CT 200h’s well-earned reputation for efficiency and reliability, armed with a freshened exterior that embodies its exciting-to-drive nature―without compromising its user-friendliness and fuel economy.

“The 2018 CT 200h has been refreshed and revitalized by enhancing its progressiveness. Despite being classified as a minor-change model, the car is more emotional and sporty than before, making it the ideal premium hybrid compact for younger customers who enjoy spirited driving, but still care about the environment,” said Chika Kako, the Chief Engineer of Minor Change CT 200h.

Exterior Design: A More Dramatic Presence

From its inception, the 5-door Lexus CT 200h combines an automotive packaging solution that compliments its owner’s active lifestyle with an exciting-yet-comfortable driving experience and interior surroundings offering the latest technology, upscale design and materials.

For the 2018 model, the CT 200h features a much more modern and aggressive front fascia, thanks to a new mesh pattern for the signature spindle grille that helps elevate the model’s sophistication. Also, the integrated bumper that ran across the grille just below the Lexus emblem is gone, as are the horizontal bars within the grille. The fog light bezels are now painted metallic grey and are surrounded by an outer frame with a triangular cross-section and sharp edges. The “arrowhead” DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) have been repositioned above the single-projector headlamps to create a sense of continuity with the side character lines of the car. Collectively, these new styling elements give the CT 200h a more modern, athletic, and yet sophisticated appearance, helping this compact 5-door command a powerful presence when seen from the front.

“We have pursued a new look by reversing the position of the LED headlight unit and DRL compared to the previous model. The result is a look that’s more aggressive than before. Moreover, the “L” motif of the DRL strengthens the Lexus signature.” said Tetsuo Miki, the Chief Designer of the CT 200h.

At the rear of the car are new “L”-signature shaped taillights that give the CT 200h a sportier, wider appearance. New wider rear combination taillights have been changed to an all-LED configuration, with brightly illuminating LED turn signals at the bottom of the assembly, strengthening the “L”-signature look, as well as making the new CT more visible from behind. The upper and lower lines of the light-emitting section of the taillights thicken as they curve outwards, accentuating the width of the taillights and providing the rear end with a strong, stable presence. Perhaps the most expressive design change to the CT 200h’s rear end are restyled rear combination lamp and the back door garnish―enveloping the Lexus badge right between the rear glass and the taillights―that adds some athletic appeal to the vehicle’s already sporty rear-end. Also, the lower part of the rear bumper is now metallic silver and black, and reshaped to enhance the vehicle’s aggressive appearance, while the rear reflector bezels have been painted metallic grey to match the fog light surrounds up front.

Fresh Interior Updates

One peek inside the cabin, and it is easy to see that the CT 200h offers among the finest interiors in its class, thanks to high-quality materials, rich surface textures and an attractive form-follows-function overall styling philosophy. Lexus Navigation System that features a larger 10.3-in. wide display screen (versus the previous-generation’s 7-in. monitor) is newly available.

An expanded available interior color palette features new combinations including striking two-tone leather in Sunflare Brown/Noble Brown, the distinctive Ochre/Light Ochre, and the lighter Chateau/Fromage; a mix of fabric and long-wearing synthetic leather in Black, Black/Red, Dark Camel/Noble Brown and Chateau/Fromage; and new all-fabric upholstery in the sporty Black/Red, the unique Dark Camel/Noble Brown and the airy Chateau. And for 2018, a total of six different ornamentation choices are available, with the addition of Sunflare Brown Film and Bamboo.

The post Lexus Gives 2018 CT 200h A Final Facelift appeared first on Creativo Manhattan.