How difficult it is—given the circumstances— to choose between two grand tourism models. like the Aston Rapide and the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, and a pure blood super sports car like the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren, The three autos are very different from one another and each has exceptional characteristics. Veamos el Aston Martin, modelo que sucede al muy exitoso DB9, con una silueta fuera de lo común para un coupé cuatro puertas y capacidad para cuatro pasajeros. Si pasamos al Bentley, veremos a un tradicional sedán cuatro puertas, eso sí, con prestaciones de auto exótico. Finalmente, si analizamos al SLR McLaren, tendremos un deportivo de prestaciones únicas y belleza excepcional que rivaliza favorablemente con uno que otro exótico. Veamos de cerca estos magníficos autos.
Mercedez SRL McLaren
To speak about Mercedes Bertz is to talk about quality, engineering, a tradition of elegance and several more qualifying adjectives. However, when you talk about the Mercedes Bertz SLR McLaren you have to lower your voice and sharpen your senses since, for the connoisseur, just the name alone is synonymous with an auto- mobile brand of great prestige joined with another of great reputation directly related to Formula 1.
The SLR McLaren, better known by this short name, is a pure blood super sports car. It has been developed by Mercedes and McLaren as the successor of the magnificent classic that the former pro- duced over more than half a century ago: the famous 300 SL—gullwing— that gave the German brand so many triumphs and fame.
The latest version of this magnificent auto will be presented during this year-s Paris Auto Show, which will take place from September 30 to October IS. In this redesigned version, the SLR Melaren incorporates changes in the front and rear fasdas in order to better control the car at speeds above 300 k/h (187 m/h). Additionally, the motor now develops 641 HP thanks to its S.5 liter supercharged and intercooled engine. And. because of a decrease of 41 kilos (90 pounds) in its total weight, it does the 0-100 km/h (0-62 m/h) in only 3.6 seconds, a time inferior to that reached by the Lamborghini Murciélago and the Porsche Carrera GT. exotics of high quality and a great deal of prestige. It also reaches a top speed of 332 k/h (207 m/h), a very similar parameter to that of its closest rivals, the German and the Italian.
For the "great aficionado', waiting two months to witness the magnificent sight of the SLR Melaren during the Paris Auto Show will seem like an eternity. However, dear reader, let us not forget that time flies, just like this precious toy.
| Engine |
| V8 5.5 liter supercharged and intercooled engine with 24 valves |
| Maximum power |
| 641 HP @ 6,500 r/m |
| Maximum torque |
| 575 libras pie @ 3,250 r/m |
| Maximum acceleration |
| 0-100 k/h: 3.6 segundos |
| Maximum speed |
| 332 k/h |
Bentley Continental Flying Sour
Since 1998. the Volkswagen consortium initiated the revitalization of the Bentley brand through an important investment in the plant located in Crewe. England Since then. 5S0 engineers, simultaneously with designers and craftsmen and women, have worked on the development of the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
All these brilliant minds, together with their magnificent installations around the world, which include wind tunnels and tracks for prototypes. brought about the birth of this prodigious car. The Continental Flying Spur is a magnificent example of how cutting edge technology can be combined with what is handcrafted.
In the strictest sense, the Continental Flying Spur is a car of high performance. However, its blends the sumptuousness and space of a fourdoor sedan with the soul of a coupe with great features. The Continental Flying Spur is aimed at clients of the British brand who appreciate the magnificent combination of comfort, style, utility. luxury and power that is unique to this car. For the moment, it is impossible, at any price, to find these attributes in another sedan, making this car stand alone in its category.
This elegant sedan of high performance has a powerful biturbo motor, a special configuration in W of 12 cylinders with a sixliter displacement that develops SS2 HP @ 6,100 t/m and a tremendous torque of 479 ft/lb at only 1.600 i/m. These figures allow the Bentley a formidable acceleration, reaching the classic 0-96 km/h (0-60 mi/h) in only 4.9 seconds, and a top speed of 312 k/h (195 mi/h). parameters that are comparable to exotic cars that weigh a ton less.
Additionally, and thanks to its enormous 15.9 inch front disks and 13.2 inch rear disks, the Continental Flying Spur, helped by its Michelin 275/40 R19 tires, can stop very fast Optionally, those drivers who wish an even sportier drive can install Yokohama Advan Sport tires, specially designed for the Bentley, with a low 35 profile mounted on 20 inch wheels, which permit a better sensation at the wheel and more aggressive handling without the penalty of greater stiffness due to its very low profile.
| Engine |
| Biturbo W12 six liter 48 valve engine |
| Maximum power |
| 552 HP@ 6,100 r/m |
| Maximum torque |
| 479 lb ft @ 1,600 r/m |
| Maximum speed |
| 312 k/h |
Aston Martin Rapide
As Marek Reichman. design director of Aston Martin, said, the Rapide must be the world's most beautiful four door car. In this way. and as a very successful heir of its precursors — the Aston Martin DB9 2+2. the Volante and the more compact but powerful Vantage — the new Rapide maintains its philosophy and values, offering its exclusive clientele a powerful, muscular car of great spirit and beauty from any angle from which it is viewed.
This great auto has a perfect line that, extending along the length of its silhouette, appears to be in movement even when it is at a complete stop. Thanks to this fluid, graceful line, which runs to its rear, it has a beautiful form very similar to that of its brothers.
Speaking about its interior, the Rapide continues with the tradition of four bucket seats offering ample space to the same number of passengers. The total height of the car was incremented by four centimeters (1.S inches) in relation to the DB9 and. additionally, the total length was increased by 30 centimeters (11-8 inches) so that its total span is of five meters (16.4 feet), allowing its passengers exceptional comfort and luxury, an expected tradition of this British brand.
The interiors include Italian leather of the highest quality, natural wood, crystal, aluminum and carbon fiber, used expressly because of its hardness and low weight. The roof of the car. which gives passengers a special sensation and allows wonderful views of the sky. is of transparent polycarbonate. a modem ultra light material. It also includes double zone air conditioning and individual DVD screens for the back seats, with their own a/c and audio controls.
As with any Aston Martin, the Rapide is a high performance car thanks to its 12 cylinder motor that develops 480 HP and its ZF Touchtronic six gear transmission. Because of the use of brake pads and ceramic calipers, its large disks stop the car in a very short distance in spite of the 140 kg (308 lb) of extra weight
Independently of the fact that the Rapide is a four door coupe, it has the ability to handle itself aggressively both on common roads as well as highways, permitting the driver and his or her three occupants to reach their destination fresh and relaxed.
| Engine |
| V12 5.9 liter normally aspirated 48 valve engine |
| Maximum power |
| 480 HP @ 6,100 r/m |
| Maximum torque |
| 422 libras pie @ 5,000 r/m |
| Maximum speed |
| 290 k/h |
Text: ± Photo: Cortesía de las marcas