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This 700 Horsepower Eagle Squadron Mustang GT Will Hit the Auction Block for Youth Charity [News]

Eagle Squadron Mustang GT
[Photo: Ford]

This one-off Eagle Squadron Mustang GT pays tribute with 700 horsepower, carbon fiber body kit

Almost eighty years ago, a group of American volunteer pilots risked life and limb to volunteer in the Royal Air Force. They flew alongside British pilots in three Eagle Squadrons, fighting in the skies over the British coast and France during World War II. Now, Ford and champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. pay tribute to those men who joined the Royal Air Force with this one-off Eagle Squadron Mustang GT.

Contrary to what this solitary overhead still might suggest, there’s more going on than just some paint and a body kit. In fact, this Eagle Squadron Mustang GT features a more powerful 5.0-liter V8. Instead of the 460 horsepower you’d normally get if you bought one from your Ford dealer, this one has 700 horsepower. That huge power bump comes courtesy of a Ford Performance supercharger. On top of that, there’s also an RTR carbon fiber wide-body kit and a “Tactical Performance” suspension package.

Gittin’s RTR Vehicles and Ford Performance will debut this car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK on July 12. After that, it will head to the Experimental Aircraft Associations AirVenture Gathering of Eagles in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on July 23rd. This Eagle Squadron Ford Mustang GT will head for auction, where the highest bidder will get an all-inclusive package to the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit this August.

Over the past two decades, Ford has donated 11 custom-designed vehicles for the AirVenture event and raised more than $3 million for the Young Eagles youth program to support the next generation of pilots. All proceeds from the sale of the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT will go toward that program on July 26th, 2018 at the AirVenture event.

Check back to TFLcar.com for more Mustang news, views and real-world reviews! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for videos published throughout the week.

 

These Top 10 Fastest Depreciating Cars Make Tempting Used Car Buys [Video]

Let’s face it: buying a new car is fun. But there’s one part of the deal that almost always sucks, and that’s depreciation. However, if you’re looking for some great value in a used car, depreciation is your best friend. On average, cars lose around 15 percent of their value each year. Some cars fare worse, and depreciate like they’re falling off a cliff. Which are the fastest depreciating cars? Check out the list below to find out!

Thanks to iSeeCars for compiling the information on depreciation in this list. To add some more value, we’re also including the manufacturer warranties into the mix.


10. Buick Enclave – 46.8% depreciation over 3 years

2019 Buick Enclave

The Enclave starts at a base price of $40,000. Buick offers a 4-year/50,000-mile ‘basic’ warranty, with a 6-year/70,000-mile warranty on the powertrain. Should you buy this car three years old with average mileage, you’d still have some coverage for the first year of ownership.


9. Cadillac SRX – 47.2% depreciation over 3 years

2013 Cadillac SRX

The SRX starts at just $36,060. Cadillac, being another GM brand, offers the same warranty as the Buick. That means 4 years or 50,000 miles on the basic warranty. However, since the SRX has been discontinued, the opportunity to buy one still under warranty is about to close. 2016 was the final model year for the SRX.


8. Audi A3 – 47.9% depreciation over 3 years

The A3 is Audi’s entry model, starting at $31,950. The German automaker also offers a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty on their models, including this small sedan.


7. Volkswagen Jetta – 48.1% depreciation over 3 years

The Jetta starts at a mere $18,545, which means you can conceivably buy a 3-year-old version for under $9,000. Volkswagen also added value to their cars by stepping up their warranty to a 6 years or 72,000 miles, whichever comes first. Nearly half off a car with half its warranty left is a tasty proposition. Used values for the Jetta may also shift with the new 2019 model on the way.


6. Chrysler 200 – 48.4% depreciation over 3 years

Top 5 Winners and Losers of October 2017

The recently discontinued Chrysler 200 started at $22,115 when new. It also came with an industry standard 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. While the car looks like a good value on the surface, potential reliability issues may cost you more in the long run. This car may not be the best option out of warranty.


5. Ford Taurus – 49.7% depreciation over 3 years

Another spot, another soon to be discontinued car. The Ford Taurus starts at $27,690. For that money, you get Ford’s 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. For less than $15,000, the Taurus offers a lot of car for the money. It is, after all, a full-size car, slotted above the smaller Fusion, Focus and Fiesta, all of which are also going away soon.


4. BMW 3 Series – 49.8% depreciation over 3 years

F30 BMW 328i Dinan S3

The 3 Series starts at $34,900. It comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. Pending really high mileage, you should still have a year of free fixes left. While the 3 Series is one of the most popular BMWs, owning one out of warranty can get expensive if things go wrong.


3. Mercedes-Benz E-Class – 49.9% depreciation over 3 years

January 2018's Best-Selling Midsize Luxury Sedans: Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The E-Class is on the pricier side of this list for base MSRP, starting at $52,950. Par for the course with the German manufacturers, the E-Class comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty as well. Again, even though it’s half-price, any issues will quickly eat into your savings.


2. Volkswagen Passat – 50.7% depreciation over 3 years

2017 VW Passat

The midsize Passat starts at$22,995. Like its smaller sibling, the Passat comes with VW’s new 6-year/72,000-mile warranty. Also like the Jetta, the Passat is a pretty solid all-around car. It’s spacious and comfortable, and offers a lot of car for the money. While it’s tempting to own a new car, saving so much money buying a relatively-new Jetta is a hugely appealing prospect.


1. BMW 5 Series – 52.6% depreciation over 3 years

2018 F90 BMW M5

Coincidentally, one of the most expensive cars, starting at $52,650, is also at the top of this fastest depreciating cars list. The 5 Series also features BMW’s 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. So you could still have a year of warranty left with slightly under half-price BMW. Not terrible, but don’t expect to get your money back out of it if something goes wrong.

Which one of these is the best used purchase? It looks like if you want to score a bargain deal, you may want to look into the Jetta or the Passat. Let us know which of these cars you’d consider in the comments below.

Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more news, views, and fun top-10 lists just like this one.

 

2018 Suzuki Boulevard C50: Comfortable Mid-Size Cruiser with Classic Style [Review]

Suzuki Boulevard C50 Review
Suzuki Boulevard C50. [Photo: Arv Voss]
The venerable Boulevard lineup is Suzuki’s interpretation of the cruising motorcycle. The 2018 Suzuki Boulevard C50 is essentially a Harley Bagger look-alike without the bags. The C50T Touring model offers chrome-studded leather saddlebags, a windshield, passenger backrest and wide whitewall tires for $1,200, should you want them.

OVERVIEW

Both the Suzuki Boulevard C50 and C50T display the look of a bygone era. An era of old, iconic triangular rigid frames and hefty telescopic front forks that were common in the late 40’s and early 50’s. There are smaller Boulevard models as well as larger bikes in the company’s lineup, but the Suzuki Boulevard C50 is an ideal place to start in the cruising range due to its size, styling and affordability.

At first glance, many observers thought that my C50 test bike was a custom Harley given its chrome laced wheels, front fender trailing edge flares and full rear fender. The 45-degree, 805 cc V-twin motor with staggered chrome exhaust pipes, forward foot controls and traditional floorboards along with the tank console combine to complete the classic American cruiser. It may not be the quintessential long-range cruiser for some riders. That said, it’s a darned good place to start.

The bike’s rigid imagery comes from the triangular swingarm that looks to be an extended part of the frame members. In reality, though, it articulates like a conventional yoke-type swingarm. That provides a smooth ride quality, despite its “old school” appearance. The swingarm’s motion is softened by a hidden single shock that comes with a seven-position, spring-preload adjuster that provides 4.1 inches of wheel travel.

Suzuki Boulevard C50 Review
[Photo: Arv Voss]

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

The Boulevard C50 is a well-balanced and easy handling bike with a nice broad power curve and smooth shifting gearbox. Its riding position is ideal, with the handlebars at just the right angle. The floorboards and foot controls are set forward for better long-range comfort. The seat’s height allows for touching down without tiptoeing along the ground. A passenger pillion and pegs are provided for longer range trips. However, riders would benefit from stepping up to the Boulevard C50T for the convenience of the saddlebags, windshield and passenger backrest.

The tubular front forks are held out to a rake of 33 degrees. That’s thanks to the steering head angle, which extends the wheelbase to 65.2 inches and the overall length to 98.4 inches. There are no adjustments for the front suspension components. There’s also no anti-lock brake option available.

PERFORMANCE

The 50 cubic-inch motor generates 53 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, along with 50.9 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. The top gear on the five-speed transmission is extra-tall to allow for a more relaxed cruise at speed, as well as for cruising around in urban surroundings. The shaft’s final drive delivers energy to the rear wheel. It also uniquely resists the shaft-jacking experienced with many shaft-drive bikes as well as minimizing any back-torque effects.

A few quirky things appear as part of this mid-range cruiser’s makeup. Rather than being exclusively air-cooled, there’s a big radiator to keep the temp down. There’s only a single front disc brake, and the rear brake is a 180 millimeter drum type. These aren’t necessarily negative issues, mind you. It’s just unusual for a full-sized bike that tries to visually emulate a traditional hard-tail cruiser.

The motor may come across as being somewhat small for the bike’s persona. It does its job nicely, though, maintaining a smooth power delivery throughout the rev range. An Auto Fast Idle System monitors engine temperature, opening the throttle automatically, aiding with cold starts and stabilizing the bike’s idle. The dual exhaust system utilizes Suzuki’s pulsed-secondary air-injection system (PAIR), pumping fresh air into the exhaust stream helping to burn off any excess free hydrocarbons.

Suzuki Blvd C50 RR

TFLCAR’S TAKE

The 2018 Suzuki Boulevard C50 is an excellent entry-level cruiser with an old school look. Despite looking old-school, it comes with modern technology and convenience, as well as a much more comfortable ride. And it’s affordable – less than the $8,999-and-up Harley-Davidson Sportster. It offers a perfect starting place for those looking to purchase a cruiser on a budget. Once you outgrow the bike, there are bigger, more powerful Suzuki cruisers available in the Boulevard family. Another plus is the 12-month unlimited mileage limited warranty.

Pricing is up roughly $50 over last year’s prices to $8,249, Expect to spend an average of $300 more for dealer prep and handling charges. My 2018 Suzuki Boulevard C50 wore a metallic Oort Gray finish augmented by a pleasing amount of chrome accents.

Suzuki Boulevard C50 review
[Photo: Suzuki]

SPECIFICATIONS: 2018 Suzuki Boulevard C50 

On Sale: Now
Base MSRP: $8,249
Price as Tested: $8,549
Engine: 805cc (50 cubic inch) four-stroke, 45-degree V-Twin w/ right-side staggered dual-chrome exhaust
Horsepower: 53 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque: 50.9 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM
Transmission: Wide-ratio sequential 5-speed manual
Suspension: Front: Telescopic, oil-damped front forks w/ coil springRear: Link-type mimicking hard-tail lines, oil-damped shock absorber w/ 7-way adjustability, coil spring
Brakes: Front: Hydraulic single discRear: Hydraulic drum
Tires: Front: Grand High Speed GS 123R P130/90 R16 67H

Rear: Grand High Speed GS 123R P170/80 R15 77H

Fuel capacity: 4.1 gallons

Dimensions:

Wheelbase: 65.2 inches
Length:  98.4 inches
Rake: 33.0 degrees
Seat Height:  27.6 inches
Net Weight: 644 pounds

 

What is the Best Midsize SUV for Towing 5,000 Pounds? [Ask TFL]

Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee fail IIHS Small Passenger Frontal Overlap Test
2018 Ford Explorer [Photo: Ford]

 UPDATE 10/10/2019: An updated version of this post is now live! Check out the 2019 – 2020 midsize SUV towing chart below:

https://tflstudios.wpengine.com/2019/10/i-want-a-midsize-suv-that-can-tow-what-should-i-buy-2019-2020-update/

They’re practical on their own, but when you run out of space, which one is the best midsize SUV for towing?

TFLcar viewer Jedironin380 recently reached out to us with a great SUV question:

“I currently have an older Dodge pickup truck and a Subaru Crosstrek. I’m strongly considering going back to 1 vehicle and getting a trailer to haul my UTV and other hauling duties. What are the best mid-size SUVs with good 4×4 systems that can carry 4 people and “stuff” and can haul 5,000 lbs.?”

There are plenty of options out there right now for those who are looking to tow with a midsize SUV. However, we should preface our recommendation with a quick note that you should not push the limits of your car. While an SUV may be technically capable of towing 5,000 pounds, it’s not necessarily wise to do so, as long periods of towing that much weight may put excessive strain on the powertrain and brakes. We also advise installing a brake controller if you plan on towing more than 3,000 pounds.

What options are there?

That out of the way, here are the current midsize choices for towing around 5,000 pounds or more:

Make/ModelEngineTransmissionMax. Towing CapacityStarting Price (excl. destination charges)
Acura MDX3.5L V69-speed auto5,000 lbs.$46,300 (SH-AWD)
Audi Q73.0L Turbo V68-speed auto7,700 lbs.$56,400 (Premium)
BMW X53.0L Turbo I68-speed auto~6,000 lbs.$58,195 (xDrive35i)
Buick Enclave3.6L V69-speed auto5,000 lbs.$47,295 (Essence AWD)
Chevrolet Traverse3.6L V69-speed auto5,000 lbs.$34,600 (LS AWD)
Dodge Durango3.6L V68-speed auto6,200 lbs. and up$32,595 (SXT)
Ford Explorer3.5L N/A or Turbo V66-speed auto5,000 lbs.$32,140 (Base)
Honda Pilot3.5.L V66-speed auto (LX, EX and EX-L)

 

9-speed auto (Touring, Elite)

5,000 lbs.$32,800 (LX AWD)
Hyundai Santa Fe3.3L V66-speed auto5,000 lbs.$32,600 (SE AWD)
Infiniti QX603.5L V6CVT5,000 lbs.$45,100 (AWD)
Jeep Cherokee3.2L V69-speed auto4,500 lbs.$27,240 (Latitude 4×4)
Jeep Grand Cherokee6.4L V88-speed auto7,200 lbs.$67,495 (SRT)
2019 Kia Sorento3.3L V68-speed auto5,000 lbs.$33,090 (LX V6 AWD)
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class3.5L V67-speed auto7,200 lbs.$54,700 (GLE 350 4MATIC)
Nissan Pathfinder3.5L V6CVT6,000 lbs.$32,730 (S 4×4)
2019 Porsche Cayenne3.0L Turbo V68-speed auto7,700 lbs.$65,700 (Cayenne)
Range Rover Sport3.0L S/C V68-speed auto7,716 lbs.$66,750 (SE)
Subaru Ascent2.4L Turbo H4CVT5,000 lbs.$34,195 (Premium)
Toyota Highlander3.5L V68-speed auto5,000 lbs.$35,135 (LE V6 AWD)
Volkswagen Atlas3.6L V68-speed auto5,000 lbs.$33,950 (S w/ 4MOTION)
Volvo XC902.0L Turbo I48-speed auto5,000 lbs.$49,100 (T5 Momentum AWD)

Of course, there’s a wide range of options here. Really, from a towing perspective, they’ll all tow around 5,000 pounds. The exception is the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which came up a bit short at 4,500 pounds. Weirdly, the larger Grand Cherokee, with the larger 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, is only rated to tow 3,500 pounds. To better define the “good” part of “what makes a good midsize SUV for towing”, it partially depends on price. This list includes economical and luxury options, and fuel economy varies depending on the car.

Recommendations

This list offers a comprehensive view of all the midsize SUVs out there – unless we accidentally missed one. Since there is such a wide field, we’d like to make three recommendations based on price. We’ll offer an entry-level, mid-range, and luxury recommendation, depending on how far you want to stretch your budget.

2019 Jeep Cherokee Overland
[Photo: FCA]

Entry-level: Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offers a fresh face and a lot of towing ability for the money. Even the base Latitude model will tow up to 4,500 pounds when equipped with the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6. Being a Jeep, its four-wheel drive system is also quite capable. The Pentastar engine has a pretty good reputation for reliability. More to the point, Fiat-Chrysler seems to have dialed out a lot of the earlier issues with the nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine pulls well and the transmission is smooth, even if it’s a bit slow to shift when you want it to.

Best Midsize SUV for towing 5,000 Pounds
[Photo: Hyundai]

Mid-range: Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is a comfortable, three-row SUV that provides a lot of value for money. It drives pretty well, even if its six-speed automatic is a bit archaic in today’s 8-speed dominated world. Fuel economy is the big stumbling block here, but other than that, the Santa Fe is a good all-rounder. The Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and 2019 Kia Sorento are also good options in this range.

2018 Audi Q7 - Best Midsize SUV for Towing 5,000 pounds
[Photo: Audi]

Luxury: Audi Q7

If you have the budget, the Audi Q7 is hard to fault as an all-around family hauler. It has fairly conservative styling, but it also has a top-notch interior and solid feel on the road. It’s also capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds, so it won’t even break a sweat under a light load. It is pricey, but among the luxury options, it actually comes out as one of the cheapest (at least for the base Premium model).

There are plenty of other great options on the list. Which would you recommend makes the best midsize SUV for towing, TFL community? Let Jedironin380 and the community know which midsize SUV you’d use for towing in the comments below! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more news, views and real-world reviews.

Update: Added 2018 Acura MDX to the list.

Will the Ford Fusion Actually Live on Forever? New Fusion Hybrid Taxi Shows There’s Some Life Yet [News]

2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid Taxi
The Ford Fusion Hybrid Taxi may return up to 38 MPG and feature some heavy-duty upgrades to toughen the car against years’ worth of hard use. [Photo: Ford]

Despite Ford “officially” killing the Fusion by 2020, it may still live on as a taxi.

The Ford Crown Victoria has diligently served as America’s most prominent taxi for decades. Comfortable, rugged, and dependable, it long stood as one of the perfect vehicles for long use by fleets around the country. It wasn’t just taxis either – the Crown Victoria was so popular with police and government agencies as well that Ford kept the model going for four years after ending retail sales in 2008.

Take the E-Series as well. Despite ending production in 2015 in favor of the newly-redesigned Transit, Ford still keeps stripped chassis and cutaway models of the long-running van in production. It’s way past its sell-by date, but the indomitable nature of the E-Series and the Ford Crown Victoria endeared them to a decades-long run of public service. Could that also be the case with the Ford Fusion? Ford just introduced a new version of the Ford Fusion Hybrid for taxi fleet use.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid Taxi is built on the same platform as the Ford Police Responder Hybrid and, to a lesser extent, the Special Service Hybrid. Like those cars, the Fusion Hybrid Taxi gets heavy-duty upgrades to the steel wheels and suspension. It also has an increased ride height, high-performance brakes and tougher cloth seating.

2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid Taxi
The new Fusion Hybrid Taxi is purpose-built for hard use, including the heavy-duty cloth seats. [Photo: Ford]

Will the Ford Fusion Hybrid Taxi offer a stay of execution?

Ford is still likely to discontinue retail sales of the Fusion in its move toward trucks and SUVs. However, the introduction of the Fusion Hybrid Taxi raises an interesting question. In a similar spirit to the Crown Victoria and the E-Series van, will Ford keep the Fusion name around for fleet sales? Ford is marketing the Fusion Hybrid Taxi as a purpose-built model for livery service, but will they continue to build it for years to come?

There is one area where operators are likely to want the Fusion Hybrid Taxi – running costs. The old Crown Victoria struggled to crack 20 MPG with its 4.6-liter V8 engine. On the other hand, Ford contends the Fusion Hybrid Taxi will return mileage figures similar to the Police Responder Hybrid – around 38 MPG combined. The new taxi model will go on sale by the end of this year. Since it’s emerging as a 2019 model, it’s doubtful Ford will kill it off almost immediately after introducing it.

The Fusion Hybrid Taxi may mean the Fusion will only live on as a fleet model, but this may ensure the nameplate’s survival past 2020. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Come back to TFLcar.com for more updates. Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more news, views and real-world reviews.

 

 

Is the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace The Best Looking Electric Car Yet? [Video]

How do you design an electric crossover?

Jaguar has long held a reputation for designing some of the best looking cars in the business. That’s especially been true under the watchful eye of Design Director Ian Callum, who joined Jaguar Cars in 1999. Prior to his current position, he’d served as a designer with Ford and Aston Martin. With cars like the Jaguar XK, XF, XJ, the F-Type, the F-Pace and the new all-electric I-Pace, the company clearly deserves that reputation. But there’s a fundamental change at play with the all-new 2019 Jaguar I-Pace. Since it’s an electric car, the conventions of its powertrain have shifted. Since there’s no longer an internal combustion engine to worry about, the fundamental design of the car itself can change as well.

Wayne Burgess, Jaguar’s Production Studio Director, is also largely responsible for the company’s modern designs. Working closely with Ian Callum, he’s been responsible for the F-Pace and XE, as well as the F-Type, XJ and XF models. He’s also worked on the exterior of the Aston Martin DB9 and developed the initial concept for what would go on to be the new Aston Martin Vantage. In this video, he explains the design concepts behind the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace. Specifically, how do you design an electric car to be stylish and as efficient as possible?

2019 Jaguar I-Pace
[Photo: Jaguar]
It’s not just the exterior where designers focused their attention, either. The 2019 Jaguar I-Pace has a driver-focused design. It also offers a minimalist layout thanks to large screens and its lack of transmission tunnel. Find out more about the I-Pace’s design by watching the video above! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more news, views and real-world, electric crossover reviews.

 

 

 

Pimp My Armored Limousine: Here Are the Top 5 Chariots of Choice for World Leaders

Being a major world leader grants tremendous power, but it could also you an instant target. Thus, you need a car that will protect you in every way possible, especially in the car that shuffles you around. So, that car better be armored as heck. Here are five of the most protective armored vehicles that world leaders ride in. Thanks to Business Insider & Select Car Leasing for compiling the information for this list!

5) Pope Benedict XVI: The Popemobile – $535,000

The Popemobile is a mid-2000s Mercedes-Benz M-Class with a funky glass box on top. It was the bullet-proof choice of then-Pope Benedict XVI. It’s safety features include run-flat tires, a bomb-resistant underbody, armored windows, and an onboard oxygen supply. The current Pope took more modest approach with his open-top Mercedes G-Wagen.

4) Vladimir Putin: Aurus Senat Limousine – $588,000

The Aurus Senat is a collaborative effort between Porsche and NAMI, a Russian institute. Russia has kept the safety features of this limo under wraps, though we know it is heavily armored and uses nightvision cameras. We also know that it’s powered by a 598 horsepower, 4.4-liter V8 engine.

Oh yeah, it has auto-tightening seatbelts. Fancy.

3) Kim Jong Un: Mercedes-Benz S600 – $1.6 Million

The S-Class is already quite a tank left when left to its own devices. Tack on body armor and surveillance cameras, however, and you have yourself a 21-foot luxury tank for the road. What makes Kim Jong Un’s chariot of choice particularly special isn’t so much the car itself, but the dozen suit-adorned guards that jog alongside the vehicle at all times.

2) Donald Trump: Cadillac One, aka ‘The Beast’ – $1.6 Million

Cadillac One: 'The Beast' Armored Limousine

It’s a big, armored Caddy. What more does the US president need? Well, actually, it just looks like a Cadillac. Underneath, it’s rolling on a Chevy HD truck chassis. Cadillac One also has a type-specific onboard blood supply for POTUS, a smoke screen dispenser, kevlar tires, plenty of body armor, a panic button, tear gas canisters and night-vision cameras. Plus, the drivers enroll in rigorous evasive driving courses to ensure the president doesn’t find himself in a Hollywood-style car chase for too long.

1) Queen Elizabeth II: Bentley State Limousine – $14.7 Million

I really don’t understand what it is about this custom Bentley limo that could make it cost $14.7 million. Bentley designed the limo for the Queen’s 2002 Golden Jubilee and she liked it so much that she ordered a second one. The royal-carrying limo features a higher ceiling and doors that open to a perfect 90 degrees to flatter the royalty that enters and exits the vehicle. And, of course, the car is heavily armored, air tight, and features kevlar tires. Though, I’m still not sure what about this equation is worth $14.7 million.

Cars like these make you want to be a world leader. All that power and all that luxury – what’s not to love? Although, if you want to live in luxury as a private citizen, there’s always cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Join our friend Nik Miles below as he recounts the features in the limo of choice for governments all over the world: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Come back to TFLcar.com for more fun Top 5 lists just like this one. Subscribe to TFLcar and TFLnow for the latest news, views and real-world reviews!

 

Scratch-proof Paint? Well, Sort of – Panoz Cars Get Self-Healing Paint as Standard Feature [News]

Panoz Avezzano gets self-healing paint: Scratch-proof car?
[Photo: Panoz, LLC]

A self-healing car? Not quite, but Panoz sports cars will now come with “self-healing paint”

Sometimes, it’s the most obscure companies out there that come up with the wackiest ideas. Take Noble, for instance. For those who don’t know, the company took the engine out of a Volvo XC90 and strapped a couple of turbos to it to launch the M600 in under three seconds. Yep, there’s a Volvo-engined car that will hit 60 in 2.9 seconds. But that’s not all – there’s also American boutique manufacturer Panoz. You may have never heard of them, but they’re now shipping their cars with “self-healing” paint. If you pick up a scratch or swirl marks, the paint on Panoz cars will be able to “heal” the blemishes when exposed to heat.

Panoz Avezzano gets self-healing paint: Scratch-proof car?
Panoz makes hand-built cars for the well-heeled enthusiast. [Photo: Panoz, LLC]
Panoz joined up with Feynlab, a company whose products comprise ceramic coatings meant to protect automotive paint. The company uses “nano coatings” to protect cars from UV damage, marring and chemicals. Another up side, however, is the coating’s ability to protect from scratching. The “Self-Heal Plus” coating can form back to its original condition when it’s scratched and exposed to heat. So in a way, cars treated with the coating are scratch-proof. Or, at the very least, they’re extremely scratch-resistant.

The self-healing protective paint coating will come standard on all Panoz models, but don’t expect it to come cheap. If you want Feynlab’s Self Heal Plus on your own car, you’re looking to spend at least $2,500. More to the point, Panoz cars also aren’t cheap. The Avezzano pictured above – a hand-built, American sports car with a custom 6.2-liter V8 Chevrolet-derived engine – costs at least $159,900.

Still, it’s a nice touch that will keep some dingbat in a rented Malibu from dinging the paint on your preciously rare and expensive sports car. Check back to TFLcar.com for more self-healing paint news, views and real-world reviews!

Panoz Avezzano gets self-healing paint: Scratch-proof car?
The Panoz logo features red, white and blue, while the Avezzano refers to the emigration of the founder’s grandfather to America. [Photo: Panoz, LLC]
 

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