2011 Shanghai Auto Show Pre-Recap

Since the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show slightly overlapped with the 2011 New York Auto Show, I decided to showcase the Shanghai Auto Show first, seeing how the odds of my traveling to China are much slimmer than I am. I'd figured that I should make it seem like we were there.



Note to self, add Shanghai Auto Show to list of international Car/Auto Show events to attend.

CEC Wheel Specials

CEC Wheels released their specials for the moment...

The c859 is a classic mesh-style wheel offered in a brilliant silver/machined finish or full chrome and the sophisticated design and concave profile are a perfect compliment to the bold styling of the BMW 6 and 7 series. The c859’s 22”x9” front and 22”x10.5” staggered sizing is the ideal fitment for BMW 6 series and 2002-2008 7 Series vehicles with no hub rings or vehicle modification required.

Fitment: BMW 6/7 SERIES (E63,E64/E65,E66 ONLY)

Front: 22"X9" with 2265/30R22
Rear: 22"x10.5" with 295/25R22

Finishes: Silver/Machined or Chrome

The c721’s fully forged three-piece construction makes for the ultimate combination of strength and light weight, providing an aggressive stance and greater road-holding, with no sacrifice in performance. Additionally, the c721’s striking 5 spoke design makes a stylish addition to any vehicle, particularly sporting SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and VW Touareg.

Fitment: Porsche Cayenne/Audi Q7/VW Touareg

Size: 22"X10" with 295/30R22

Finishes: Silver/Machined or Black/Machined with Chrome lip

The c825’s full face styling and clean lines combined with its deep lip design make it the perfect compliment to any sedan or SUV.

Silver Finish:
Fitment: 2006 and older GM truck/SUV (Like an Envoy), Lexus LX460/LX470

GM Trucks: 22"x9.5" with 305/40R22
Lexus Trucks: 22"x9.5" with 295/35R22

Black Finish:
Fitment: 2005+ Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger/Magnum/Challenger Note: Not for All Wheel Drive models

Sizes: 22"x9.5" with 265/35R22

If you're interested in any of these wheels, visit them at their website, CECWheels.com

Presenting the New Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible ISR

Bentley just announced today that the Continental Supersports Convertible ISR (Ice Speed Record) is the most potent and radically styled Bentley convertible ever. This new model, limited to just 100 cars worldwide, is a celebration of the Company’s world ice speed record for a convertible car set by Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible.

Driving the all-wheel drive, biofuel-powered 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible on the perilous frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, Kankkunen achieved a speed of 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) eclipsing his own ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in 2007 in the Continental GT.

Bentley’s most powerful 6-litre W12 engine with FlexFuel technology
The 6-litre, twin turbo-charged W12 engine, produces 640 PS (631 bhp / 471 kW) - the most powerful Bentley ever - and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque. Paired with a Quickshift six-speed automatic transmission, it launches the convertible ‘Ice Speed Record’ model from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.0s) and reaches 100 mph from a standing start in only 9.5 seconds (0-160 km/h in 9.4s).

And true to the Bentley tradition of delivering instantly available and exhilarating performance in real world driving conditions, the ‘Ice Speed Record’ convertible will sprint from 50-75 mph (80-120 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds.

In common with its Continental stable mates, the new Supersports model runs on both petrol (gasoline) or E85 bio-ethanol or any combination of the two. Pioneered in the Supersports coupe, this FlexFuel technology offers a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a well-to-wheel basis, a measure of a fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions. The on-board fuel supply system monitors the content of the fuel tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel.

Large diameter (420 mm front, 356 mm rear), carbon ceramic brake discs, with eight-piston callipers at the front provide fade-resistant stopping power. This lightweight system also reduces unsprung and rotating mass, benefiting steering response and handling. As with all Supersports models the ‘Ice Speed Record’ is fitted as standard with Pirelli 275/35ZR20 ultra high performance tyres. The car’s potent performance is further accentuated by 20” inch, 10-spoke Supersports wheels with a dark tint finish.

Bentley’s designers have selected three ‘stand-out’ exterior paint colours for the new convertible: Beluga, Quartzite and, fittingly, Arctica White. Reinforcing its muscular styling, while its leather and Alcantara-lined cabin features high-gloss carbon fibre with a unique red weave. For an even more extrovert appearance, customers may specify the ISR Mulliner design package (available at no extra cost) with its bold ‘Supersports ISR’ graphics and red-accented detailing. The Supersports Continental Convertible ISR is now available to order at Bentley dealerships and is priced at £189,300 or in American Dollars: $310,292.99.

For those customers seeking to accentuate the high performance credentials of the car further, Bentley offers a special ISR Mulliner design package as a no cost option. The 20” 10-spoke Supersports wheels can be specified in a vibrant red paint with a diamond turned finish to produce a lustrous metallic contrast. The dual-louvered dark bonnet vents, unique to Supersports models, are complemented by red accent surrounds. The extrovert Mulliner design is completed with a set of bold of Supersports ISR graphics that run down both flanks of the car.

Unique to the ‘Ice Speed Record’ model, the high-gloss carbon fibre on the dashboard, centre console and roof panel, features a red weave. The theme continues with Pillar Box Red piping to seats and doors, and Pillar Box Red contrast stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles.

The front seats and floor mats also feature embroidered ‘Supersports’ legends while the signature Breitling dashboard clock also has a red accent.

An 8-inch screen displays the car’s audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings as well as the very latest navigation system, which uses both an in-car hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data. It also utilises dynamic navigation to avoid heavy traffic spots, locates destinations using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card and is Google Maps-compatible for most markets.

The infotainment system, with 7-digit postcode entry, combines touchscreen controls and classic Bentley knurled rotary switches to offer instant usability. It is complemented by a new driver information panel (DIP) located in the main instrument cluster. The new wide-screen DIP employs TFT technology and enhanced graphics provide the driver with clear and easily accessible information about a wide range of car systems.

The new Supersports Continental Convertible ISR made its debut on the Bentley stand at the 2011 Geneva Show.

I know Bentley of Manhattan will have a few. Since I'm on Bentley's media list, I wonder if that would guarantee a test drive. One can dream.

Top 10 Fastest Cars Under $30,000 According to Forbes

The people from Forbes concocted their list of the Top 10 fastest cars under $30,000. To compile this list they used 0-60 mph times for 2011 models tested by Edmunds' InsideLine.com. The 10 fastest that cost $30,000 or less made the list. And here it is... and of course, photos are from consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com

1. Ford Mustang GT
Specs: Height: 55.8 in
Length: 188.2 in
Width: 73.9 in
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Engine: 5.0 Liter V8
Transmission: 6 speed manual
412 horsepower
EPA: 17/26 mpg
0-60: 4.8 seconds
MSRP: $29,150

2. Subaru Impreza WRX
Specs: Height: 57.9 in
Length: 180.3 in
Width: 70.7 in
Wheelbase: 103.3 in
Engine: 2.5L H4 Turbo
Transmission: 5 speed manual
265 horsepower
EPA: 19/25 mpg
0-60: 5.2 seconds
MSRP: $25,500

3. Ford Mustang Coupe
Specs: Height: 55.6 in
Length: 188.1 in
Width: 73.9 in
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Engine: 3.7 Liter V6
Transmission: 6 speed manual
305 horsepower
EPA: 19/29 mpg
0-60: 5.6 seconds
MSRP: $22,150

4. Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
Specs: Height: 58.7 in
Length: 180.0 in
Width: 69.4 in
Wheelbase: 103.7 in
Engine: 2.0 Liter L4 turbo
Transmission: 6 speed automated manual
237 horsepower
EPA: 17/25 mpg
0-60: 5.8 seconds
MSRP: $27,700

5. Hyundai Genesis 3.8 R-Spec Coupe
Specs: Height: 58.7 in
Length: 180.0 in
Width: 69.4 in
Wheelbase: 103.7 in
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: 6 speed manual
237 horsepower
EPA: 17/25 mpg
0-60: 5.9 seconds
MSRP: $26,750

6. Honda Accord Coupe EX-L
Specs: Height: 56.4 in
Length: 190.9 in
Width: 72.7 in
Wheelbase: 107.9 in
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Transmission: 6 speed manual
271 horsepower
EPA: 17/25 mpg
0-60: 6.3 seconds
MSRP: $29,730

7. Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Specs: Height: 57.9 in
Length: 180.9 in
Width: 69.1 in
Wheelbase: 103.9 in
Engine: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder
Transmission: 6 speed manual
263 horsepower
EPA: 18/25 mpg
0-60: 6.3 seconds
MSRP: $23,700

8. Mazda Mazda6 s Grand Touring
Specs: Height: 57.9 in
Length: 193.7 in
Width: 72.4 in
Wheelbase: 109.8 in
Engine: 3.7-liter V6
Transmission: 6 speed automatic
272 horsepower
EPA: 18/27 mpg
0-60: 6.4 seconds
MSRP: $29,320

9. Kia Optima SX
Specs: Height: 57.3 in
Length: 190.7 in
Width: 72.1 in
Wheelbase: 110. in
Engine: 2.0L L4 turbo
Transmission: 6 speed automatic
274 horsepower
EPA: 22/34 mpg
0-60: 6.5 seconds
MSRP: $26,000

10. Hyundai Sonata SE
Specs: Height: 57.9 in
Length: 189.8 in
Width: 72.2 in
Wheelbase: 110.0 in
Engine: 2.0L L4 turbo
Transmission: 6 speed automatic
274 horsepower
EPA: 22/33 mpg
0-60: 6.6 seconds
MSRP: $24,350

First Quarter Photos from ADV.1 Wheels

One thing I love about receiving e-mails from ADV.1 Wheels are the photos that accompany the message. And I decided to show a few since in the one message had about 45 photos.

Visit them at http://www.adv1wheels.com

(My third favorite shot)

(My favorite of the bunch, and I'm not a Ferrari Girl)

(My Second Favorite Shot)

Looking at these photos makes me want to step up my photography game, and very rarely do I say that.

Kudos to ADV.1 Wheels...