25,000th Porsche Panamera built

Fri 30th July 2010, by Tony

Despite the current financial situation, Porsche are going strong. They have recently announced that they have built their 25,000th Panamera. The vehicle in question was a ruby red V6 version of the luxury four-door coupé.

Bernhard Maier, who is head of sales and marketing at Porsche, said:

“The benchmark performance of our Panamera V6 models wins over our customers worldwide. Even in the USA, a country with a preference for V8 engines, they impress with their efficiency and sportiness.”

Launched in 2009, the Panamera comes with a front engine and rear-wheel drive, although a four-wheel drive version is also available. The engine itself is first put together in Stuttgart with the body being built and painted in Hanover. It is then constructed at the Leipzig factory owned by Porsche where the Cayenne is also made.

The V6 model was first launched in May of this year. Porsche has also applied for a patent for a four-door convertible version of the car.

Some Porsche fans feel the car betrays the manufacturer’s traditions, as it is a luxury sedan, where Porsche is better known for light, two-door cars that were geared towards performance.

BMW looking at ways to stay ahead of the competition

Thu 29th July 2010, by Tony

The German automobile manufacturer is always considering its next move, so it really is no surprise that it is developing the X4, a luxury compact four-seater coupé of the SUV, while plans are already underway with a refresh of the popular 3-Series.

These new cars are due out in 2012 so you won’t see them on the forecourt for some time just yet, but it just goes to show that the company is looking to fill every new niche available in the automobile market.

The firm is always endeavouring to build on its success like the X6 and grow its sales. There is also talk of the 1-Series getting a revamp with a front-wheel drive version in the offing.

Another of the company’s great automobile creations is the M3 supercar. This vehicle is truly capable of meeting all expectations when it comes to thrilling driving and it boasts an impressive chassis and six-cylinders.

The beautifully crafted M3 is now available to drive with specialist car hire firms. If you want to take advantage of super car hire and get to drive one of these beauties yourself for a day, book your session in now and you will certainly not be disappointed.

Porsche to debut new Boxster in Geneva

Wed 28th July 2010, by Tony

We have certainly been talking quite a bit about Porsche recently, with the news that it is about to test its three new electric Boxster prototypes in Stuttgart, Germany at the start of next year. Now, as if to underline the fact that 2011 for Porsche is all about the Boxster, it is to reveal its new car at the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva.

You will have to wait until March to see the new third generation version of the popular Boxster, which has been given quite a bit of an overhaul with its fabric roof, new panels and low emission engine.

The car will be lighter through the use of aluminum and everything will be geared towards a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
However, it will still be given a 7-speed PDK gearbox allowing for faster shifts and making it more economical with fuel.

Other news from Porsche is that the highly anticipated new Cayman will be unveiled further on in the year.

If your birthday is coming up or you just fancy a drive in one of the best supercars around, you should certainly consider prestige car hire from one of the leading firms in the business. You can choose when and where in the UK you would like to drive the Cayenne S or 997 Turbo and experience the drive of your life.

Porsche to add electric car to impressive lineup

Tue 27th July 2010, by Tony

Porsche, the German luxury high performance car manufacturer, has never been afraid to branch out and try its hand at alternatively powered vehicles – and now it seems the electric car is next on its list.

The firm is currently in the process of making three Boxsters which will be fitted with this electric powertrain technology and the tests are all due to begin in Stuttgart at some point next year. During the testing phase, black box recorders will be fitted to the cars logging the driver’s input.

The new development was given the go ahead by the company’s CEO Michael Macht, who explained “we will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers product qualities typical of a Porsche.”

As the manufacturer adds to its already far-reaching lineup of vehicles powered by various sources we will have to wait and see how this affects the car making of the future. If the project proves to be a success and the vehicle still provides all that is expected of a top Porsche model, we could see more of these being built.

Porsche is already committed to the hybrid Panamera which will be out in 2011, while the hybrid 918 Spyder supercar is expected to be next on its list.

If you are someone who would love to drive a supercar such as a Porsche Cayenne, then why not consider dream car hire? You could get behind the wheel of one of your favourite vehicles and get to live your dream.

Glamour at the Salon Privé 2010 luxury supercar event

Mon 26th July 2010, by Tony

Last week saw three days of the most luxurious new and classic supercars grace the picturesque grounds of London’s Hurlingham Club during the Salon Privé 2010 event, where glamour was the name of the game.

Salon Privé is the UK’s ultimate luxury super car event; it offers guests an exclusive opportunity to appreciate the true beauty of some of the world’s most beautiful and well-designed vehicles in stunning surroundings.

This year’s event featured everything from classics such as the Alfa Romeo 1750 Super Sport and the 1938 Jaguar SS100, to rare one-of-a-kind models like the fully restored Oldsmobile 98 Starfire Convertible.

All of the big names – Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Bentley - were displaying, so the event was buzzing with super car lovers and glamorous types.

Co-founder of Salon Privé, Andrew Bagley, quite rightly said:

\'These cars have formed the basis of every car-lover\'s dreams over the past four decades,\'

\'At one point or other, each of these cars has represented the pinnacle of supercar engineering and performance, exclusivity and rarity.\'

All of the vehicles on display may certainly whet your appetite for the supercar of your dreams, but they are extremely expensive so you may need to satiate yourself with luxury car hire instead.

X-Type replacement ready in 2012

Fri 23rd July 2010, by Tony

The Jaguar X-Type replacement, yet to be named, is now under development, state Tata the British company’s parent.

There has been talk for some time that Jaguar would try to introduce a car to the market that would challenge the big names from Germany. The car will sit in Jaguar’s range just underneath the XF.

Pictures of the new car have just surfaced on the internet and it looks great. The car uses cues from the XF’s front styling with a rectangular mesh grille, whereas the rear of the vehicle has a smoother rounded design. There is some debate as to whether the vehicle would use an all new aluminium chassis. The XJ currently uses one and if developed for the X-Type replacement, it could also feature on Jaguars other models, the XF and XK.

The development of the new car has partly been given the go-ahead thanks to the praise the RD6 design concept received that featured at The Frankfurt Motor Show. But also because Jaguar thinks they have a realistic chance of taking some of the market share from Mercedes, VW and Audi.

The car is due for release sometime in 2012. Until then you will have to use a luxury car hire company to drive the car of your dreams.

New Mercedes A Class first look

Tue 20th July 2010, by Tony

The previous Mercedes A Class, whilst refined and with the usual Mercedes luxury, was perhaps a little bland to entice younger drivers or drivers who wanted to stand out. Well we have just viewed its replacement and it couldn’t be more different than its predecessor.

Mercedes have pulled out all the stops to make its replacement stand out from the crowd. And in doing so is aiming at buyers who might otherwise buy a Volkswagen Golf or BMW 1 series.

The model will be revealed in its entirety at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, but takes design elements from the F800 concept. The car uses a new front wheel drive platform with both three door and five door models available. With a new imposing front grille, Mercedes have taken its entry vehicle and improved it considerably by giving it a sporty, sexy theme. The car has actually been totally redesigned with it now looking a considerably different model.

Release plans for the new vehicle are being kept under wraps, but we expect the car to be on the forecourts in the UK sometime early 2012.

Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black

Wed 14th July 2010, by Tony

We haven’t mentioned Aston Martin on this blog for a while so we thought we had better put things right and give the marque a bit of a plug. And because they have just released a special edition DBS, we thought that this is where we should start.

The DBS Carbon Black is a special release by Aston that only a few lucky customers will be able to get their hands on. The DBS was first released in 2007 and is a true GT sports car. The V12 engine produces 510bhp and a convertible, DBS Volante was introduced in 2009.

So what’s so special about the Carbon Black?

The car features special metallic paint that Aston say took 50 man hours to complete. And they don’t stop there; the car also gets 10 spoke black glossy alloy wheels, a black Obsidian leather interior and carbon fibre side strakes. The sound system in the car is also upgraded with a Bang & Olufsen Beosound DBS system as standard.

Because the car has been hand finished you will expect to pay a little extra than the standard, or not so standard model. Aston say prices will be approximately 5% more.

The new Audi RS3

Fri 9th July 2010, by Tony

The Audi A3 is a brilliant every day car, but if you want something a little racier, why not wait for the new RS3. The new super-powerful Audi is currently under development by the Quattro performance arm of the company and is due to be powered by the same engine found in the new TT RS, the 2.5 litre five cylinder turbo charged unit.

The new RS3 is expected to be capable of producing 335bhp which is the same as the BMW 1 Coupé M. Because the power will be delivered to all four of the Audi’s wheels, the company are promising supreme handling. The 0-60 time is expected to be close to 4.6 seconds and options are expected to include the new Quattro centre differential, magnetic ride dampeners and Audi’s new torque vectoring sport rear differential.

The new shape A3 is due for release sometime next year, so it is likely that Audi will wait until then before releasing the RS3. But if it anywhere as good as the Golf R or the BMW 1 series M Coupe, there will be a lots of happy Audi drivers.

Veyron Super Sport regains title of fastest super car

Wed 7th July 2010, by Tony

Everyone knows that the fastest production car on Earth is the Bugatti Veyron, don’t they? It was briefly knocked off the podium by the American SSC Ultimate Aero, that topped the Veyron’s 253mph by 3mph in 2007, but now the Veyron has regained its crown.

A new version of the Veyron, titled the Super Sport, has just left the Ultimate Aero’s time standing and managed an astonishing 268mph at the Volkswagen test track in Germany. The record attempt takes place over two runs with the average top speed recorded.

So where has Bugatti tweaked the extra power from, we thought the car couldn’t get any better? The engine stays the same in the car with the 8.0 litre, 16 cylinder the same model as is used in the standard car. However, there has been an upgrade to the four turbo chargers and bigger intercoolers have been added to the design. This means the Veyron’s once measly 1,001bhp has been upgraded to an astonishing 1,200bhp.

Other modifications to the car see an all carbon fibre shell introduced which reduces weight. The test driver who made the new world record runs in Germany, Pierre Henri Raphanel must have one of the best jobs in the world.

If you haven’t managed to get a job as good as Pierre’s, why not choose supercar hire for the day to experience the thrills of driving one of the best production cars currently available.

Five of the most eco-friendly concept cars on earth

Fri 28th May 2010, by Tony

Concept cars from the world’s top manufacturers always get supercar hire fans excited; they are glimpses of the future, turning impossible dreams into reality. Using sophisticated technology way ahead of its time, the supercar industry is working towards making their models as eco-friendly to run as they are fun to drive.

In no particular order, here’s a few of the best (and most jaw-dropping) concept cars on the scene at the moment:

• Maserati Tramontane – An all-electric vehicle designed to offer both sustainability and luxury, the Tramontane has an aerodynamic shape and a number of sophisticated components.

• Jaguar C-XC Concept – This Jag concept is powered by hydrogen fuel, made from sustainable or recycled materials and has been designed to be fully aerodynamic right down to the wheels.

• Audi A0 QS Concept – A sporty, dynamic hybrid supercar powered by a combination of hydrogen engine/electric motor, the AO QS offers both a superior driving experience and zero emissions.

• BMW Sequence GT - Designed by a graduate student, the GT is an all-electric vehicle using ultramodern safety systems to protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians. The engine is designed for maximum efficiency, and it only takes 60 seconds to refuel!

• Lamborghini Countach EV- This supercar runs on an electric engine, but uses photovoltaic modules and wind turbines to generate extra energy to refuel the batteries. It will be lightweight, aerodynamic and also very, very fast.

Liverpool’s first Pageant of Power dominated by supercars

Wed 26th May 2010, by Tony

This week was the Liverpool Pageant of Power, the first event of its kind ever to be held in the city. Featured in the epic carnival was every kind of motorised transport imaginable – from classic motorbikes to army tanks – but the stars of the show were undoubtedly the supercars.

During two amazing hours on Tuesday 26th May and in front of more than 15,000 spectators, the streets of central Liverpool were filled with every supercar hire fans dream – a whole fleet of roaring super machines.

There was an intimidating and impressive display of Jaguars, Maseratis, Bentleys, Lamborghinis and of course, Ferraris, showcased to exceptional effect in the celebratory parade.

The land, sea and air event was staged to mark the second anniversary of the Liverpool ONE shopping centre and was based on a similarly memorable event to be held in Cheshire’s Cholmondeley Castle in July.

Also called Pageant of Power, the Cheshire event will be held in historic surroundings and will showcase some of the best classic and modern supercars from around the world. Competing and on show will be Porsches, Ferraris, Jaguars, Audis, Mercedes’ and BMW to name but a few.

Four famous supercars under the hammer in Melbourne

Mon 24th May 2010, by Tony

On Monday 31st May, four of the most famous and iconic supercars in the world will be open to bids as part of the Shannon’s Melbourne Winter Classic Auction. Now Melbourne may be a little far for most supercar hire fans to travel, so here’s the lowdown on the four icon models up for auction...

Ferrari 1989 Testarossa Coupe

This model is Ferrari’s flagship 1980s supercar, in striking metallic blue. The 4.9-litre, 12-cylinder engine produces 390bhp and a maximum speed of 180mph, meaning the Testarossa can hit 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds. It is predicted to fetch around $110,000 - $130,000.

Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Coupe

This jet black 2000 model - with its 3.6-litre, 265kW engine - is in excellent condition, with exceptionally low mileage. Shannons price it between $100,000 - $115,000.

Lamborghini 1977 Espada Series III Coupe

Expected to sell for around $55,000-$65,000 at auction, this silver Italian supercar is one of Lamborghini’s first four-seater models. It also benefits from features ahead of its time such as power steering, automatic transmission and electric windows.

Ford 1971 XY Falcon GT HO Phase 3

The GTHO is still one of the most desirable muscle cars in Australia, and is expected to fetch a considerable sum of between $260,000-$320,000. This massive amount is due to its immaculate, restored condition, rarity and collectability.

Mercedes infuses new SLS AMG supercar with Apple design ethos

Thu 20th May 2010, by Tony

During the design process of their new SLS AMG supercar and their F800 Style concept, Mercedes Benz have said that they used electronics company Apple as inspiration for the sleek, futuristic-looking models.

Mercedes hosted an exclusive presentation for their new supercar in Surrey this month, revealing the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG to be the very last word in extraordinary supercar design. Vice president of design at Mercedes, Gordon Wagener, explained the company’s vision and design philosophy for the supercar, as well as its connection to Apple:

“It’s clean and self-assured. It’s not just a supercar, it’s the supercar. It’s the iPhone of all supercars.”

Costing around £160,000, the SLS AMG has gull-winged doors – no doubt inspired by the brand’s 1954 SLS 300 – a 6.3-litre, Supercharged V8 engine capable of delivering 571hp and a top speed of 200mph. The supercar can also hit 0-62 in an incredible 3.8 seconds.

Supercar fans hoping to drive one of the astounding SLS AMG’s will be disappointed though, as all of the first year’s production have already been accounted for. Looks like many will have to live the Mercedes dream car hire style for a similar experience.

Gauntlet: the new Aston Martin concept car

Mon 17th May 2010, by Tony

Aston Martin have created a jaw-dropping new concept car, using the expert skills of Turkish designer Ugur Sahin.

The Aston Martin Gauntlet concept supercar has been designed using the classic Aston design as a model, building on its near-perfect design to create something truly wondrous. Sahin has taken on many projects like the Gauntlet before, turning existing beauties such as the Corvette Z03 to the Ferrari-599 into exotic and completely unique new models.

Ugur Sahin has described how he has used this process on the Aston Martin, saying that the “familiar Aston Martin proportions define the silhouette of the car” whilst he added elements of aggression achieved via the sinister headlights and wide grille), modernity and uniqueness into the design.

Many supercar hire fans already familiar with Aston Martin have said they see elements of the One-77, the DB AR1, the Rapide, the V8 and even the DB3S in the design of the Gauntlet – they’re all in there somewhere.

According to Sahin, the name ‘Gauntlet’ itself represents the interaction and harmony of lines in the design, but he specifies that this effect is emotional rather than literal.

Chris Evans celebrates radio success with £12m Ferrari

Fri 14th May 2010, by Tony

After hitting record-breaking listener figures of around 9.5 million, Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans has bought himself a very expensive congratulatory present – a classic 1963 Ferrari GTO costing £12 million, to be exact.

Evans is known for being a big fan and collector of Ferraris. His existing fleet includes a 275 GTB quad cam, a 250GT SWB, a 250 GT Lusso and a 1961 GT California Spyder previously owned by actor James Coburn, which Evans picked up for a cool £5.5 million.

It comes as no surprise then that he splashed the cash to add one of the UK’s most expensive and sought-after supercars to his collection, especially in celebration of beating former breakfast host Terry Wogan’s record for a UK radio show’s biggest audience by a cool 1.5 million. However, he did have to sell three of his existing Ferraris to be able to afford it.

About the Ferrari 250 GTO

This 1963 model is one of only thirty-six of its kind and with its limited edition Series II GTO bodywork, many consider it to be one of Ferrari’s most aesthetically pleasing. The car’s 3.2-litre V12 engine delivers 302bhp and a top speed of 174mph (0-60 in 6.1 seconds).

New Bentley Continental GT

Tue 11th May 2010, by Tony

We are looking forward to the release of the new Bentley Continental GT. The super coupe is going to get its first outing at the Paris Motor Show in October but we have seen spy shots of the face-lifted model in testing.

At first glance the look of the car seems to have evolved and now offers a sleeker design. The upright grille at the front of the car accentuates the lower, wider front bumper and with LED headlights that feature headlamp washers the front end looks superb.

Chrome trim has been fitted beneath the doors and with new alloys wheels and indicators incorporated into the car’s wing mirrors, the car’s sleeker lines are further accentuated.

The new Bentley use a VW made 6.3 litre W12 engine that produces around 600bhp. That’s a massive boost from the 552bhp the cars predecessor possessed. All this power means the car should manage 0-60 in around 4 seconds. But that’s not all, like the flagship Supersports model, the new Bentley Continental GT will also be able to run on E85 Bioethanol which will mean better fuel economy so you can drive in style and do your bit for the environment.

A vintage Bugatti is now the most expensive supercar in the world

Mon 10th May 2010, by Tony

A vintage Bugatti 57SC Atlantic has officially become the most expensive supercar in the world after it was bought for a record-breaking $30 million at a recent auction.

The lucky new owner of the 1936 Bugatti is the Mullin Automotive Museum in California, who bought the vehicle from car collector Dr Peter D Williamson when he put it up for auction at Brokers Gooding and Company in Santa Monica. A spokesman from the auction house has spoken to the Wall Street Journal of his delight at the sale, saying:

\"I am extremely pleased to have found the new buyer for the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, one of the world\'s most significant and valuable automobiles that has been in a private collection and rarely seen during the past four decades,\"

The reason for the record-smashing price tag is the vintage Bugatti was the first of the only three Atlantic models ever built. Only two are left; one owned by fashion tycoon Ralph Lauren and other now purchased by the Mullin museum. The second most expensive supercar in the world and the one the Bugatti beat hands-down, was a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which sold for $12.2 million.

Automotive fans without the enormous bank balance, of course, can always count on supercar hire for the thrill of a classic design and superior performance.

Supercar parade at new Silverstone track led by Aston Martin One-77

Thu 6th May 2010, by Tony

The track at Silverstone has had a much-publicised revamp, and an official unveiling ceremony was held last weekend. The spectacular event featured celebrity racing heroes Damon Hill OBE and David Coulthard, as well as a special appearance by the Duke of York to cut the ribbon.

Topping off the mounting excitement of the event for supercar fans and prestige car hire fans alike was the supercar parade, travelling to Silverstone from London. The outstanding procession was headed by a special edition Aston Martin One-77. Known worldwide as the ultimate in beauty, speed and power; the One-77 astonished onlookers by dressing in eye-catching white.

Amongst the other spectacular supercars featured in the ceremonial parade, the white Aston Martin One-77 still managed to stand out and for many, it was the unquestionable star of the show. It was the supercar’s first public outing and many considered it to be perfectly fitting for the opening of the brand new Silverstone track.

The Aston One-77 also showed off its abilities on the new track later in proceedings. Powered by a 7.3 litre, 700bhp V12 engine and with a top speed of over 220mph, the One-77 is the fastest Aston Martin ever made.

Which is the ‘best loved car’ in the UK?

Tue 4th May 2010, by Tony

If you took a poll of the best loved cars in the UK, you would unsurprisingly find a host of manufacturers from different counties at the top of the list. Audi, BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes to name a few. However, right at the top of the list you might find a car that hails from Gaydon in Warwickshire – The Aston Martin DB9.

A poll by insurance company Direct Line intended to find Britain’s ‘best loved car’ over the last twenty five years. And the winner of course was the Aston Martin DB9. James Bond knew what he was doing when he chose the car that one in ten of everyone who was asked would like to park on their driveway.

Another British icon, the Jaguar XJ, raced into fifth position sandwiched by the Audi Quattro in forth and the Ford focus in fifth. Second went to the VW Golf GTI with 5% of the vote and third place went to the BMW mini.

It’s easy to see why the DB9 is such a style icon and at the top of every driver’s wish list. Its looks, style and sophistication make it one of the most desirable cars available today.

Robert Downey Jr. rolls up to Iron Man 2 premiere in Audi R8 Spyder

Wed 28th April 2010, by Tony

Many have described it as a scene out of a superhero movie as Hollywood actor rolled up to the world premiere of his latest flick in a scene-stealing silver Audi R8 Spyder. The supercar is, in fact, the very vehicle that Downey’s businessman-cum-superhero character Tony Stark drives in the film, so it’s easy to imagine the excitement when he turned up at the premiere behind the wheel of the Spyder.

The Spyder has been described by supercar fans and film buffs alike as pretty much made to star in a superhero movie, mainly because it offers the high-tech specs and innovative design that innovative engineers like Downey’s Tony Stark excels at.

This has led to many comparisons between the Audi and the sophisticated technology featured in Iron Man 2, in terms of indestructibility - the R8 boasts a strengthened aluminium frame, often called the ‘Audi Space Frame’ - and power (the Audi supercar has a 5.2-litre, 525bhp engine capable of a top speed of 313 km/h.

Audi themselves have explained just why the makers of the film deemed the R8 Spyder to be the perfect supercar for their hero, saying:

“Just like the first movie, Iron Man 2 is the perfect environment for the Audi R8. Like us, the technologically ingenious Super Hero Tony Stark represents Vorsprung durch Technik. And just as the R8 Spyder was developed from the Audi R8, the Super Hero Tony Stark surprises us with new innovations,”

Bentley corners the Chinese market with two Continental models

Mon 26th April 2010, by Tony

Making the brand an even more prominent presence at the Beijing Motor Show 2010, Bentley has unveiled two unique new models specifically tailored to the Chinese Market. Down to the very last detail, the Bentley Continental GT and the Bentley Flying Spur Speed have been designed to conquer the Chinese supercar market.

The Continental GT Design Series China

This model is bespoke inside and out, with unique colour and trim on the outside and a three-tone colour scheme for the leather interiors. The Continental GT will also feature two of the car manufacturer’s newest paint finishes – Orange Flame and Magenta Metallic – as well as Design Series China badges and a distinctive Amboyna veneer for the interior designed exclusively for the Chinese market.

The Flying Spur Speed China

This model boasts a comfort suspension option specifically designed to suit Chinese roads, as well as a re-tuned, and subsequently quieter, exhaust.

Bentley’s exclusively tailored design for these two prestige cars couldn’t have come at a better time as, according to insider reports, China is expected to become the largest global market for supercars this year.

Unfortunately, British supercar fans can’t benefit from these China-only models, but then again, we have unlimited access to classic British prestige car hire.

The power of the BMW M5 with its twin-turbo V8

Fri 23rd April 2010, by Tony

The long-awaited M5 is all set to be released next year, and is expected to be unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October. This powerful machine will ditch V10 and has gone with a twin-turbo V8 unit instead.

This flagship M5 super-saloon vehicle, built to take on the Mercedes E63 AMG, is not far away now from its debut and it already looks like a serious piece of kit. The M5 distinguishes itself from previous models with much deeper front and rear bumpers, plus the M Sport gills which are its trademark. Its 0-60mph time should be less than 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

The main news on the car though is the decision to change from V10 to a direct-injection 4.4-litre V8, with dual-clutch seven-speeder. This will, in fact, provide the car with even more power than ever before, at 570bhp, and will also be more environmentally-friendly too.

If you are impressed by this standard of BMW and fancy having a drive yourself in a high class of vehicle, then why not consider prestige car hire. This coming weekend you could get to drive in a BMW M3 super car and experience the thrill of taking one for a spin.

Mercedes concept car to be unveiled at Beijing motor show

Wed 21st April 2010, by Tony

The highly anticipated Mercedes CLS Shooting Break will make its appearance this week at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. This long awaited preview will reveal for the first time the fascinating new machine from Mercedes.

For those fortunate enough to be present at the show they will get to see first-hand, the new vehicle design that is set to follow on from the Concept Fascination and the F800. The vehicle on display at the exhibition may be toned down slightly when it goes into production, but it will still be a stylish-looking model containing the new Mercedes V-generation engine.

The Mercedes CLS will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, but this first glimpse of this prestige car will certainly leave enthusiasts clamouring for more. Luxury is one of the first words that spring to mind when you see the Shooting Break, with its lavish, retro interior and striking design.

If you would be interested in driving a super car yourself, you may wish to learn more about how you can book prestige car hire. Whether you hire a car for a day, or a long weekend, you can choose a vehicle from the latest models available. The decision on choosing to drive an Audi R8 or Ferrari 430 Spyder, for instance, is completely up to you.

2010 Gemballa MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo

Mon 19th April 2010, by Tony

It might be sometime before you get to see the new Gemballa MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo as Gembella have limited the production run to only 25 vehicles. If you are lucky you might get to see it being driven on TV or catch a glimpse on the internet or in a motoring magazine.

The car is of course inspired by the standard Ferrari Enzo but has a few extra special tweaks. Under the bonnet is a 6 litre V12 that produces 700bhp and the advanced onboard computer system can adapt to changes in speed and aerodynamic stability by using an active aerodynamic concept system to change the cars performance accordingly.

Uwe Gembella has achieved a world-wide reputation by refining Porsche cars and taking them a step further than the standard vehicle. With more downforce, an electro-height adjustment, extra air ducts and advanced structural alloy wheels the handling and drive are improved significantly.

The interior has also had a makeover and now features a custom designed centre console and all interior parts are lined in leather and suede.

Each car in the series will be individually styled and tuned to owner specifications and hence no one car will be the same, further enhancing the supercar status of the Gembella Enzo.

Reality star Danielle Lloyd takes delivery of Mercedes E Class prestige car

Thu 15th April 2010, by Tony

Thanks to a very excitable post on social networking site Twitter, the world now knows about footballer Jamie O’Hara’s £34,000 gift to pregnant fiancée Danielle Lloyd.

The reality TV star tweeted to her followers just moments after taking delivery of a luxurious Mercedes E Class convertible, including a picture of the gloss black prestige car.

Her post read:

“My car just turned up!!! Woooohooo so excited I love it thanks jamie love u sooooo much xxxx.”

One happy lady then, and no wonder; the Mercedes E Class is the ultimate in classic design and luxury interiors, not to mention performance. It is these superior qualities and many more that have made it such a favourite amongst prestige car hire fans.

At the same time as announcing that her brand new Mercedes had arrived, Danielle Lloyd also revealed that the Spurs player had bought her a Range Rover previously. Whilst the Mercedes E Class convertible is not really the most child friendly vehicle O’ Hara could have bought for his six months pregnant fiancée, the Range Rover should be more than adequate for ferrying their new family around.

The Audi TT gets a facelift

Wed 14th April 2010, by Tony

Audi have put a lot of effort into the TT. Since its initial launch in 1998 it has become a firm favourite among coupé lovers across the world. So we are expecting big things from the new facelift model.

The new model was revealed at Leipzig last week and it looks great. You can instantly see that Audi have made big changes to the front bumper design and also incorporated the now standard LEDs under the standard headlights. There are larger air inlets also and new fog lights set in chrome rings.

But it’s not just on the outside that Audi have been weaving their magic. Underneath the bonnet there is a new to the line up 208bhp 2.0 litre TFSI engine which can make the car travel from 0-62mph in only 6.1 seconds. The car also sports brilliant fuel economy thanks to some fancy valve timing at 42.8mpg.

At the top of the facelift range is the 268bhp TTS with a new sport button and magnetic ride dampers. We haven’t seen a price list yet so we can’t let you know how mush the new models will be when they hit the forecourts, but in the meantime why not try super car hire and live your dreams of driving one of the finest prestige vehicles currently available in the UK.

Ferrari to show off new 599 GTO at Beijing Motor Show

Mon 12th April 2010, by Tony

Ferrari are all set to unveil one of their most exciting supercar models to date at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show – the Ferrari 599 GTO. Supercar hire fans, hold on to your hats, as this model is Ferrari’s fastest ever road vehicle, mainly due to the experimental 599XX racecar the GTO was developed from.

The Ferrari 599 GTO is actually a toned down version of its racing namesake, but it still has the 599XX’s overstated, speed-demon looks. It also has a top speed of 208mph, hitting 0 - 62mph in just 3.4 seconds.

Only 599 models of the 599 GTO will be built, meaning it may be tough to get your hands on one. Each will feature a sophisticated 6.0 litre, 661bhp V12 engine, but will still offer excellent fuel efficiency at 16.1mpg and emissions of 411g/km. With a lightweight design and plenty of added high-tech features, the GTO manages to get round the Ferrari Fiorano test track in just 1 minute, 24 seconds.

The Ferrari 599 GTO also benefits from an electronics upgrade that the company claim can pretty much eliminate problems with understeer, as well as state-of-the-art carbon ceramic brakes and improved aerodynamic efficiency.

All of these sophisticated features don’t come without a price however; each of the 599 GTO models will cost around £300,000 to own.

The Hennessey Venom GT unveiled... and wow

Tue 6th April 2010, by Tony

It isn’t quite the Batmobile, but the Hennessey Venom GT is really, really close. The car manufacturer revealed their very latest high-concept vehicle on March 29th, and many supercar fans are still reeling from the shock.

Apart from its jaw-droppingly dangerous looks, the Hennessey Venom GT boasts some impressive specifications. It uses a revamped version of the Lotus Elise platform and a twin turbo Corvette V8 engine to deliver a top speed of 262 mph and an extremely impressive power-to-weight ratio due to its carbon-fibre exterior. Those with cash to burn can get the Venom GT in either a 725hp, 1000hp or 1200hp model. All this, and it weighs less than a Ford Fiesta.

Further features include:

• A six-speed Recaro gearbox
• Active aerodynamic design
• Customisable traction control
• Brembo performance brakes

The price of this mean machine? Insiders are estimating the Hennessey Venom GT to have a £500,000 price tag. Looks like most of us will have to console ourselves with luxury car hire, unless we can scrape together enough to afford the still-incredible 725hp model. However, there are only ten made a year, and four of them are already sold!

The mystery of who crashed the Pagani Zonda supercar in Scotland

Thu 1st April 2010, by Tony

The news is full of reports at the moment about a supercar crash in Scotland involving a £528,000 Pagani Zonda S and a famous mystery racing driver.

The epic crash occurred in Aberdeenshire, when the driver of the rare and extremely expensive Zonda supercar lost control due to the muddy state of the road and hit an electricity pole. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the collision did cause the drive a suitable amount of humiliation and around £300,000 worth of damage, resulting in one of the largest claims insurance company Aviva have ever had to pay out for a motor accident.

The owner of the exclusive Pagani Zonda S supercar, multi-millionaire and retired racer Gareth Jones, has remained remarkably calm about the incident. However, he has let slip to the press that a “internationally famous racing champ” was behind the wheel, as he would only let an experienced and high-calibre driver take such an expensive and top-class vehicle out on the road for a test drive.

This has led to explosive speculation as to the identity of the mystery driver, the chief suspect being the legendary Formula 1 Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart. Mr Stewart’s people have vehemently denied the rumours, but speculation still remains rife on the internet and in the press.

No matter who the mystery driver turns out to be, the lesson to supercar fans everywhere is clear – secure and certified supercar hire is probably the safest option.

The new Ferrari California

Tue 30th March 2010, by Tony

Some would say the Ferrari California is a step in a different direction for Ferrari. The new car features many firsts for the Italian super car manufacturer. Most notably perhaps is the addition of a retractable hardtop which means that the car is the perfect summer drive. Other firsts include a seven speed gearbox, direct injection, a front engine V8 and a stacked exhaust. Do these things mean the car is any different to the prancing horses of the past? The answer has to be no, they are just improvements to the marque.

The new California looks superb and with the new launch control system developed by the boffins at Maranello the California can easily get to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds. The car produces 454 bhp and the engine is the same as in the F430 but the tuning has been optimised so torque is increased by 14lb-ft to 357 lb-ft.

Ferrari have made a difficult decision including the hard top but it is a resounding success. The car does not suffer from any chassis instability and the car drives perfectly top up or top down.

Driving a Ferrari is a once in a lifetime experience, the soul, dynamism and drive of this car make it like no other. You haven’t driven a super car until you have driven a Ferrari.

Lexus takes one of rarest supercars on earth a step further

Fri 26th March 2010, by Tony

What with it being one of the rarest supercars on earth, most supercar fans can only hope to get a glimpse of the Lexus LF-A from high-quality images published online. Lexus have now made it even more tantalising by unveiling a super-exclusive special edition of the LF-A, a model with some pretty impressive specifications.

Lexus insiders have let it slip that the new LF-A supercar set a record-breaking time at the Nurburgring in Germany, one of the world’s most prestigious race tracks. This track really sorts the wheat from the chaff when it comes to supercars, but for the LF-A it was a breeze, as it managed to beat the current record time set by the Pagani Zonda F of 7 minutes, 27 seconds. The LF-A special edition - called the Nurburgring Edition - made it round in an astounding 7 minutes, 24 seconds, thereby setting a new standard for supercars worldwide.

The Lexus LF-A special edition: vital statistics

According to various unnamed sources, the Japanese-designed vehicle apparently has:

• 562 bhp, 4.8-litre V10 engine
• Top speed of 210 mph
• Colours available include orange, gloss black and matt black
• Price: around £400,000

Most of these specifications are founded on expert speculation, so they haven’t been officially confirmed by Lexus as of yet. One thing is for sure though, there will only be a tiny number available to buy, as there are only 500 models of the standard LF-A available.

There’s the slimmest chance someone might snap up one for supercar hire, but your best bet for the supercar experience is to stick to tried-and-tested Ferrari, Aston Martin or Audi prestige vehicle hire.

Get behind the wheel of the new Audi R8 Spyder

Wed 24th March 2010, by Tony

The R8 Spyder has now arrived as a genuine challenger to the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. Audi have attempted to set the benchmark for supercars once again with the release of this new model. So, as you are probably wondering what all the fuss is about, we will take a look at what this German-built sports car has to offer.

The aluminium chassis of this latest model has been based on the R8 Coupé and sports an impressive 5.2-litre FSI equipped-V10 engine. The weight distribution of the two-seater super car means that it is certainly built like it is ready for a spot of aggressive racing.

The R8 Spyder is an example of German engineering excellence meeting the ultimate in style, with its compact features and drop top folding roof allowing its controls to be operated while the car is moving –as long as you are not travelling over 30mph that is!

The interior of the car is slick and it may not have added many changes or innovations but once you get behind the wheel you can experience what this prestige vehicle is all about. The position of the seats puts you right in amongst the action, so you can feel the power of the engine as it goes from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds.

If you want to get behind the wheel of a beast like this yourself, dream no longer, as you can now experience this thrill by taking advantage of super car hire.

McLaren MP4-12C already drawing a lot of interest

Fri 19th March 2010, by Tony

Ever since the first shots of the McLaren MP4-12C were seen, interest has been high. Already, 1,600 people have signed official ‘expressions of interest’. Considering that there are only due to be a thousand cars made in 2011, it looks like a lot of people are going to have a wait on their hands.

What was previously the McLaren SLR production line will be where the first cars are assembled, however, a £40m purpose-built facility near the McLaren F1 base is due to open in March next year and this will be the site of production from then on.

In terms of price, nothing has been confirmed as yet, but the MP4-12C is likely to be between £125,000 and £175,000. The car will be sold in 19 different countries in 19 dealerships which have been specially selected. These dealerships will be obliged to provide improved customer support that meets McLaren’s ‘sanity not vanity’ sentiments.

Dealerships will have full stocks of spare parts, with at least one of every part in stock even before a car is sold.

It may seem like you could never lay your hands on a supercar such as this, but have you ever thought about supercar hire?

Goodbye to Maybach?

Thu 18th March 2010, by Tony

It was slightly sad news for prestige car fans this week, as Mercedes revealed they plan to wind down the Maybach line of luxury vehicles due to disappointing sales and to make room for newer, more future proof models.

The Maybach brand was proudly resurrected by Mercedes back in 2002, with the Maybach 57 and 62 providing intimidating competition for BMW’s Rolls Royce models. Maybach was the company’s super brand; known for world-class luxury and one of the most elegant profiles around. However, the company has decided to give up on Maybach, sacrificing it to make way for the high-tech Mercedes S-Class line.

They will, however, make a few more versions of its current line up. The three current Maybach models will be given a slight revamp and then the brand will be phased out by 2014.

It’s not all doom and gloom for prestige car fans though, as there’s the new Mercedes S-Class to fantasise over. Using state-of-the-art technology, the lucky driver of an S-Class will be able to take advantage of great features such as the Human Machine Interface – as demonstrated at the recent motor show in Geneva.

The one thing that does remain constant is prestige car hire – helping you to say goodbye to the Maybach or boosting your excitement about the new Mercedes S-Class.

Porsche 911 Turbo S unveiled at Geneva motor show

Mon 15th March 2010, by Tony

The Porsche 911 is one of the best sports cars in the world and now Porsche have made it much better! The 911 has of course been around for many years and each incarnation of the original still harks back to the days when driving was fun. And the latest top of the range 911 doesn’t disappoint in terms of sheer smileability when you get behind the wheel.

Porsche have increased the power from the standard 911 turbo by an extra 30 horses to 530 bhp so the car manages to travel from 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds. The Turbo S also comes with Porsche’s new seven speed PDK (double clutch) gearbox and all wheel drive traction management system. Despite the extra power, the car boasts the same mpg stats as the standard Turbo model and is the most efficient sports car in its class.

The level of standard equipment on show is breathtaking with many features that were only previously offered as extras on the Turbo now included on the Turbo S.

We can’t wait for the release date and we think you won’t be able to either, so why not use supercar hire in the meantime to get a glimpse of what the new Porsche might have to offer.

Citroen teams up with GQ to build ‘ultimate gentleman’s car’

Fri 12th March 2010, by Tony

In an attempt to create a luxury car that real modern men really want, Citroen have built a concept car in collaboration with popular men’s magazine GQ. The GQbyCitroen was designed by the French manuafacturers most elite designers, with significant input from GQ editor Dylan Jones.

The result? A high-powered luxury modern vehicle with style and an image to rival some of the leading supercars available at the moment. Some describe it as aggressively styled, with an aesthetically pleasing combination of bold lines, vibrant colour, and a refined profile. Citroen have described it as the ‘ultimate gentleman’s drive’.

Interiors

The look Citroen and GQ aimed to create with the car’s interiors was that of simplicity and stylishness. They sought the services of E.Tautz (Savile Row tailors) to help them achieve this, as well as adding a sense of the futuristic with the sleek, minimalistic style.

Power

The GQbyCitroen is much more than appearance, however. The 1.6 litre, four-cylinder petrol engine offers the driver a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds, whilst only generating 80g/km of CO2 emissions thanks to the plug-in hybrid aspect.

Sadly, Citroen have given us no clues as to whether they intend to take this concept into production, so it looks like it’s the thrills of luxury car hire for us while we wait to see what they come up with...

The Lotus Evora is the latest hybrid concept unveiled at Geneva

Wed 10th March 2010, by Tony

The Geneva Motor Show is still on at the moment, showcasing the very latest production and concept cars from the world’s leading manufacturers. It has been a surprising week so far, with a number of big name companies such as Ferrari and Porsche unveiling state-of-the-art vehicles which operate using hybrid and green technologies, but the biggest surprise has got to be the Lotus Evora.

Lotus is not a name usually associated with green technology, but here it is – the Lotus Evora 414E. Still in the concept stage, this model is intended to be what Lotus calls a ‘leaner, greener’ version of the Lotus Elise.

The Lotus Evora uses a drivetrain system to produce around 414hp, using twin motors to generate 152PS of power and 400Nm of torque to each wheel. It can hit 60mph in under four seconds, and the innovative Lotus Range Extender engine adds an extra 35kW of power. In terms of assembly costs, engine mass and most importantly, emissions, the Lotus Evora is greatly improved from the Elise.

The super-green element in this model is the lithium polymer battery, which provides around 17kWh of energy storage capacity. Lotus have optimised it in order to increase energy efficiency, with the result that it can run 35 miles electrically and 300 miles as a hybrid vehicle.

Can’t wait to get your hands on one? You may have to wait a while as this technology is only in the concept stage; you’d be best considering supercar hire to fill the gap in the meantime.

Lamborghini releases new lightweight Gallardo model

Mon 8th March 2010, by Tony

Lamborghini have released a brand spanking new Gallardo model for supercar fans to drool over, and it looks set to be the car to beat for features and performance in 2010/11. The Lamborghini Gallardo 570-4 Superleggera is ultra-lightweight, meaning it is much faster – capable of producing a top speed of 202 mph and of achieving 0 – 62 mph in the impressive time of 3.4 seconds.

Speed aside, the 570 -4 also has a great deal more power than previous Superleggera models, namely, the LP 560 -4. The new Lamborghini is powered by a 5.2 litre, 570 hp V10 engine, whereas the 560-4 ran on a 5.0 litre, 530 hp V10 engine. The combination of this increased power with the 70 kilograms of weight the new model has shed since its previous incarnation makes the 570 -4 Superleggera one of the sleekest, fastest supercars around.

The new Lambo has some other great features to boast of as well, including:

• 19-inch aluminium wheels sporting Pirellie P Zero Corsa rubber
• Carbon ceramic-disc brakes (optional)
• All wheel drive, all the time
• Six-speed, e-gear transmission

This incredible new model is set for release in 2011. If you can’t wait that long to get your hands on one, it might be a good idea to try Lamborghini super car hire to prepare yourself for the style and mind-blowing speed of the Lambo experience.

Ferrari unveils the new breed of hybrid supercars

Tue 2nd March 2010, by Tony

As most people know supercars are all about power, speed and state-of the-art technology. Many supercar fans are desperate to own one of these sleek and streamlined models, whilst others regularly partake of supercar hire just to get the same thrilling experience.

Despite these persuasive advantages, supercars are also synonymous with harmful environmental effects and astronomical carbon emissions. But no more: due to the new legislation on CO2 emissions soon to be introduced by the EU, a number of top brand car manufacturers are now producing greener supercars which run using hybrid technology.

Ferrari, along with Porsche, is the champion of this kind of advanced technology, releasing high-class hybrid vehicles to whet the appetites of supercar fans and eco-warriors alike.

The Ferrari 599 hybrid supercar

Ferrari’s latest model, the 599 HY –KERS, uses the combination of a seven-speed DSG gearbox and an electric motor capable of generating 100bhp to power the car. The electric motor generates the lion’s share of the power, whilst also being able to provide a 100bhp boost for extra acceleration and to generate electricity even when the car is slowing down.

This technology not only means that the car can meet CO2 emissions targets, but it can also boast of an impressive 10.4 second time for 0-125mph.

One lucky supercar fan buys 10 Aston Martin One-77’s for nearly £15 million

Fri 26th February 2010, by Tony

Many people would consider themselves lucky to own one supercar, or even take advantage of the supercar hire experience, but one Middle Eastern multi-millionaire has decided to buy ten at once. This lucky and extremely wealthy individual has bought ten of the limited edition Aston Martin One-77 supercars, at a reported cost of $23 million (nearly £15 million).

Aston Martin claimed they were only going to build and release seventy-seven of the One-77 supercars, and ten of these have been snapped up at once by an as-yet unnamed buyer from the Middle East. Although these incredible prestige cars cost $1.7 million apiece, the buyer reportedly paid over the odds to get his order delivered by September of this year.

The news that one man has bought ten exclusive cars begs the question: what does one man need with a fleet of Aston Martin supercars? Well, the cars are apparently gifts for his extremely lucky family, who will all benefit from the very best driving experience automotive technology has to offer.

About the Aston Martin One-77...

The One-77 has a top speed of 220mph, making it Aston Martin’s fastest vehicle to date. The body of the One-77 is constructed from carbon fibre monocoque to keep weight down to an absolute minimum and power is provided by a 750 HP, 7.3 litre V12 engine.

The Mercedes F800 Style is the future of prestige cars

Wed 24th February 2010, by Tony

Mercedes recently unveiled their brand new prestige car, the F800 Style, and many are already calling it ‘future-proof’. The high-concept F800 Style is the latest model from Mercedes’ F-series, which are all designed using state-of-the-art technology and literally years of scientific research.

The Mercedes F800 Style operates on a multi-drive platform, making it the first large saloon car in the world to do this. You can either choose it to be fitted with a petrol-electric hybrid motor - capable of producing exceptional performance as well as low CO? output - or a hydrogen fuel setup, a technology which will not even be on general sale until the year 2015.

However, the most unique aspect of the Mercedes F800 Style is that its stunning, futuristic appearance hides a wealth of innovative gadgets, including:

• Distronic Plus Traffic Jam Assistant, which allows the F800 Style to follow the car in front of it, as well as steering automatically up to a speed of 25mph.
• Human Machine Interface (HMI) – As contradictory as it may seem, this is a touch screen which doesn’t require physical contact in order to operate. You only need to hover your hand over the console and the technology will project an image of it on the display, so you can view maps and use applications easily without having to reach forwards.
• Sliding rear doors
• Translucent roof

Although the F800 Style is only a show model at present, the excitement around this futuristic model will doubtless mean that Mercedes will release it at some point in the future. It may be impossibly expensive to own, but we bet that prestige car hire fans will be itching to take a ride in it when it becomes available.

Audi RS5 details to be released at the Geneva Motor show

Mon 22nd February 2010, by Tony

The Geneva Motor show kicks off on the 4th of March and we can’t wait for news surrounding the new Audi RS5.

It is a more powerful, more streamlined and more sought after version of the S5, it could even be termed as the S5’s big brother. Speculation surrounding the changes to the S5 has been rife on the internet recently but we can bring you some snippets before all is revealed at Geneva next month.

The RS5 will see some minor cosmetic modifications to the exterior of the car but it’s the engine that really matters to the car enthusiast in us all. It is expected to feature the fantastic 4.2 litre V8 that should propel it from 0-60mph in under 5 seconds and see the inclusion of a seven speed S Tronic gearbox. If you are bothered about the exterior, the car is expected to feature a retractable rear spoiler, new front bumper and grill, and larger air intakes.

We expect prices for the car to be in excess of £60,000, but if you fancy driving a dream car before the RS5’s release, why not visit a dream car hire company and see if they have any vehicles that you might like to take out for a spin.

Supermodel and supercars means extra help for Haiti

Fri 19th February 2010, by Tony

A whole host of celebrities and major companies are joining forces to help disaster-stricken earthquake victims in Haiti at the moment, and the latest team to raise vital funds is supermodel Naomi Campbell and Lotus Cars.

With the backing and creative input of Ms Campbell, Lotus Cars is planning to auction off eight extra-special Lotus Evora prestige sports cars, with all proceeds going to the Haiti relief effort. The auction will be held during London Fashion Week at Naomi Campbell’s ‘Fashion for Relief’ charity fashion show at Somerset House.

These new models have been titled ‘Naomi for Haiti’ sports cars, principally designed by Lotus Design Director Donato Coco but also having the benefit of Naomi Campbell’s ‘design direction’. The cars all feature the national colours of the Haiti flag, and are the ultimate in prestige car design.

If you find you’ve missed the auction by the time you’re reading this and are still desperate for the prestige car experience, you can place bids for more ‘Naomi for Haiti’ Evora sports cars online, or even take advantage of prestige car hire for the same effect at a fraction of the price.

Audi A7 nearly ready

Mon 15th February 2010, by Tony

The hotly anticipated Audi A7 is nearly ready and will get its first outing at the Paris Motor Show in September. The latest spy shots of the four door coupe have just been released and show the heavily disguised car undergoing testing in Scandinavia.

The car will enter the market as direct competition to the Porsche Panamera and the Mercedes CLS and will be a stylish alternative to the A8 aimed at the discerning car buyer.

The engine line up for the car has just been released and petrol models feature a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 and a new turbo charged V8. If you want a diesel then the pick of the bunch is a 4.2 litre V8 TDI. We expect all versions of the car to have Quattro four wheel drive as standard and include the infra red night vision that first featured on the new A8.

The car look to be a perfect addition to Audi’s line up and we can’t wait for sales to start in the UK at the beginning of 2011.

If you want to hire a luxury car why not have a look at the section on offer? Prestige car hire is one of the best ways to get a feel for a car before you part with your hard earned cash.

GQ names Ferrari 458 Italia ‘Supercar of the Year’

Fri 12th February 2010, by Tony

Top men’s magazine GQ has recently awarded the Ferrari 458 Italia the ‘Supercar of the Year’ award, only a few months after Top Gear magazine named it their ‘Car of the Year’ in 2009. Even though it won’t actually be released until June 2011, the New Ferrari 458 Italia has already won over many celebrity supercar fans including Christiano Ronaldo, who reportedly took it for a test drive last year in Maranello.

Ferarri 458 Italia: vital specifications

• Top speed of 202mph, and 0-62mph in only 3.4 seconds
• Semi-automatic brakes
• ‘Intelligent’ brakes – giving it exceptional stopping power
• Powered by a 4.5-litre V8 engine
• 570 HP
• Priced at £155,000 when released next year

GQ magazine has described the Ferrari 458 Italia as invoking ‘the most primal response from all who see it’. They also praised the advanced engineering, describing the engine as a ‘masterpiece’.

The Top Gear award will be Ferrari’s eighth award from the magazine in just seven years, proving that due to the exceptional standards now associated with this world-famous brand; Ferrari supercar hire or purchase is well worth looking into, and is definitely well worth the money.

New BMW X5 released in June

Mon 8th February 2010, by Tony

BMW’s X5 model created a real stir when it was first launched in 1999. It was BMW’s first true sports utility vehicle that featured all-wheel drive and because of its instant success spawned a frantic race amongst BMW’s competitors to try to market a similar vehicle. BMW launched the X5’s baby brother, the X3, in 2003 which divided opinion, so we have been anxiously been waiting for the new X5 model to appear.

The first shots of BMW’s new X5 have now been released and although you might have to look hard to notice any discernable differences on the outside, things have definitely got better. The outside of the car has had a facelift with revisions to the lighting and bumper arrangement but it’s the engine line up where BMW have made many modifications.

The car’s range includes the xDrive30d, the xDrive40d and the all new xDrive50i. The 30d sees an upgrade to 241bhp while still managing 38.2mpg. The 40d has 302bhp, delivers 37.7mpg and has a startling 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds. If you want more power still, the 50i is a twin turbo 402bhp monster and is sure to be added to many peoples wish list instantly.

The range goes on sale from June and prices start at around £44,000 and go up to £58,000 for a 50i M Sport.

Mercedes SL600 Carlsson C25

Fri 5th February 2010, by Tony

The Mercedes SL600 is a brilliant motor car in its own right, but Carlsson, the German tuning specialist, have made it even better and are launching the uprated model as their own super car at the forthcoming Geneva Motor show in March.

The SL 600 has been radically redesigned by Carlsson with only a few of the original components going into the new model. The folding hard top has been removed and replaced by a fixed top to increase body strength and of course the performance of the car. However, with the engine the car has been given, it probably wouldn’t matter how the aerodynamics worked, it would still beat anything but a Veyron off the start line.

The engine is an AMG 6.0 litre V12 that Carlsson has remapped to give 743bhp and a 0-62 time of a staggering 3.7 seconds.

Has this been enough to whet your appetite to think about buying a new model? You had better act quickly, as there are only 25 going to be built at a cost of £430,000 each.

Cricket legend Shane Warne unveils new Lamborghini Murcielago

Wed 3rd February 2010, by Tony

After scooping a lucrative contract as the new face of luxury car brand Lamborghini, cricket legend Shane Warne has recently been spotted taking delivery of an $850,000 Lamborghini Murcielago outside his home in Brighton.

Warne joins the likes of previous celebrity endorsers Nicholas Cage and David Beckham in becoming a Lamborghini ambassador, but has the honour of becoming the first Australian to promote the brand. The company couldn’t have made a more fitting choice either; Warne is already a fan of luxury cars and since 1996, the sporting superstar has managed to collect a number of status-enhancing prestige cars, including:

• Ferrari 355 Spider and one other Ferrari
• Holden VK Commodore
• Lamborghini Superleggera
• Two Mercedes 4WDs
• Two BMWs

Unfortunately for Warne, the 650-horsepower Lamborghini Murcielago is not his to keep. It’s on long-time loan from the company as part of the new deal, but the retired cricketer may well buy one after experiencing the low-slung supercar’s exceptional performance and striking appearance.

The rest of us, who can’t afford such a luxury model, will have to settle for the still-brilliant prestige car hire experience instead.

The new Porsche 911

Mon 1st February 2010, by Tony

The new arrival of a new Porsche has all car enthusiasts glued to the internet to view the first pictures of the car. And, this is further exemplified when the next generation of the iconic 911 is released. Well, Porsche are well on the way with the development of the new model and it should only be a matter of time before details regarding the car specifications and manufacturer shots are released.

The new 911 Porsche, named the 998, is due to replace the current model sometime in 2011 and to whet your appetite, the first shots of the car in testing have now been released. The car is heavily camouflaged to hide the tweaks that Porsche have given to the design, but in essence the car looks very similar to the current model. The front and rear bumpers look to have some remodelling and the car features new daytime running lights and perhaps the appearance of a retractable rear spoiler – the pictures show the rear wing of the car is heavily concealed.

We expect the engine configuration to be similar to the current model, with of course some increase in power and it goes without saying that the car will be a pleasure to drive.

If you want to drive a super car such as a Porsche 911, why not use a super car hire company to fulfil your dreams? They have loads of different cars available and you can hire them on a daily basis if you want.

Pagani C9 to replace the Zonda

Fri 29th January 2010, by Tony

We all know how great Pagani’s Zonda is, and now the first shots of the supercar’s replacement, the C9, have been taken in Italy where Pagani are developing the new prototype.

The new C9 has an all new body shape and a brand new 6.0 litre V12 engine, this is one litre less than the previous version of the car but instead has bi-turbos meaning the power produced should top 700bhp.

Pagani have taken the new car right back to the drawing board and have used a new carbon/titanium chassis as the base for their new package, which includes active aerodynamics, aluminium alloy suspension, redesigned diffuser at the rear and new air scoop that sucks in that all important cool air to cool the monster of an engine.

The new car is expected to achieve a 0-60 time of under 3 seconds and the top speed should be well in excess of 225mph. The car should be available for sale sometime in 2011 and the price tag? Somewhere around £750,000 should secure you a sale.

New Lamborghini Jota

Mon 25th January 2010, by Tony

Lamborghini have got their work cut out trying to better the brilliant Murciélago. But it seems they are well on the way after the replacement was spotted in testing last week.

The Murcielago has been a favourite supercar of the rich and famous since it was launched in 2001 and has seen many upgrades and reincarnations since then, including the most recent Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce which was previewed at the 2009 Geneva motor show. The SuperVeloce run was limited to only 350 cars at a price of $450,000 each, a tad expensive you might think, however cars were snapped up as soon as they were released.

The Murciélago’s replacement won’t be seen officially for a while but was spotted in winter testing in Scandinavia recently. The Jota looks similar in size to the Murciélago but features a carbon fibre body which means body weight should be significantly reduced.

Buyers will get a choice of a six speed manual or twin clutch semi automatic and, as with the Murciélago, the power will directed to all four wheels. Expect the engine to be a 700bhp V12 and the first real view sometime later this year.

Supercar fans desperate to get new Lexus LFA

Fri 22nd January 2010, by Tony

The brand new Lexus LFA supercar, which is set to be released next year, has already been causing a frenzy of excitement from supercar fans desperate to get their hands on one. However, Lexus are only producing 500 exclusive models, each hand-built and signed by the specialist who assembled it, meaning that people are fighting it out to own one.

And here’s why...

The new Lexus LFA is a stunning two seater, offering exceptional, extreme performance and a top speed of 200mph. The 552bhp model also has the following state-of-the art features:

• A mid-front mounted 4.8 litre V10 engine
• Six-speed sequential automatic transmission
• The LFA is capable of reaching 62mph in just 3.7 seconds

Despite the £336,000 price tag, the LFA sales team have already received more formal expressions of interest than there are cars available. Most of those interested have never even seen the new Lexus, yet the buzz surrounding the launch, as well as the limited availability, has left supercar fans practically foaming at the mouth.

For those who miss out on the new Lexus FHA, and there are only 500 available, all is not lost. You can still get the ultimate driving experience through super car hire, with many companies offering high-spec models that very nearly rival the FHA.

Audi electric concept car makes appearance at Detroit Motor Show

Tue 19th January 2010, by Tony

Those visiting the Detroit Motor Show were treated to the sight of Audi’s new concept car; a baby electric counterpart for the R8.

This model is 33cm shorter than the R8, features an aluminium chassis and plastic panels that are reinforced with carbon fibre keeping the car extra light. It weighs around 1,350kg. Known as the Audi e-tron, this is MK2 and is 250kg lighter than the MK1 which was first shown in Frankfurt last year.

Audi designer, Steve Lewis, said that the e-tron displays many design elements which will be seen in future cars from the company, such as well-defined lines and more prominent wheel arches.

The car features an all electric powerplant with two motors powering the rear wheel drive. It can produce up to 204bhp and it said to be capable of 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds and can attain a speed of 124mph.

Charging the car takes just two hours via a 400 volt electricity supply and the car has a range of 155 miles. Prices are unknown as this is still a concept car at this stage, although it could go on sale in 2012.

Mercedes announces two further cars at the Detroit Motor Show

Fri 15th January 2010, by Tony

While they won’t be making an appearance at the Detroit Motor Show, Mercedes has announced that two further special edition cars are to be released.

The SL ‘Night Edition’ is the first of these. With a matt black finish, alloy wheels and darkened lights, it lives up to its name. Within, black leather predominates with silver detail accentuating certain parts and providing contrast. There is a sports steering wheel in black and the gear stick and roof lining are in the same colour to complete the effect.

Also announced was the SLK ‘Grand Edition’. This compact roadster features a graphite finish and five spoke alloy wheels. Continuing the theme within, the upholstery is grey leather accentuated by red stitching and the ‘Grand Edition’ logo in places. Door linings feature basalt grey nappa leather contrasted by armrests made in designo pearl leather.

These cars are both available for order with costs varying according to engine size and both are said to combine the benefits of a roadster and those of a coupé.

New BMW 6 series nearly ready to go

Wed 13th January 2010, by Tony

BMW are finalising plans to launch their new 6 series range of car at this years Geneva Motor show which is due to start on the 14th of March. BMW have been criticised in the past for making their high end executive vehicles not quite as jaw-dropping as rivals Audi and Mercedes, but the secret spy shots we have seen of the new 6 series in testing seem to suggest that BMW are taking a step in the right direction.

The car is a similar size to its predecessor, but the shape shows noticeable tweaks and with the addition of a new convertible to the range that has an all new body shape and a folding canvas roof (meaning no bulky folding hard top) we can’t wait to see the finished car in action.

The flagship ‘M’ model features a turbo charged V8 engine instead of the current V10, but otherwise the engine line-up looks similar to the current models with of course upgrades and improvements aplenty. We expect a 3.0 litre petrol along with the great 4.8 litre V8 petrol and the twin turbo diesel to feature.

There is not much more information to be had at the moment but expect an update on the site during the Geneva show when we find out more.

Experience the thrill of driving an Aston Martin DBS

Mon 11th January 2010, by Tony

If you want to drive a truly expensive and sublime vehicle, then look no further than the Aston Martin DBS. At around £160,000, these incredibly fast vehicles are beyond the budgets of most car owners. However, if you really do want to experience what it feels like to get behind the wheel of Aston Martin’s flagship model, then you just have to consider Aston Martin hire.

These top vehicles may not provide the best fuel economy in the long run, but, if you are only hiring one of these models for a day, does it really matter? The stylish chassis and DB9-inspired design makes this one of the most remarkable cars you could ever hope to drive.

Just the sound of the 510bhp 6.0-litre V12 engine is amazing in its self and when you get to the performance, this is truly remarkable. The 0-60mph time of 4.3 seconds is nothing to be sniffed at and its top speed is 191mph.

The beautiful DBS is the perfect blend of luxury and sporting endeavour. You could be driving one of these prestigious vehicles yourself with super car hire, so book yourself in for the ultimate experience.

The perfect gift for any true car lover

Thu 7th January 2010, by Tony

If you are considering what makes hiring a prestige car so special, well, it provides a person with the ultimate chance to experience what driving a super car or luxury vehicle actually feels like. For most of us, this is just a pipe dream as we may never be able to afford one of our own. This is where dream car hire comes in.

People choose to drive these prestige vehicles over ordinary cars as it can give them a real thrill and they feel on top of the world. The look and feel of these cars is second to none, and with the performance to boot, prestige car hire would be a great gift for any car enthusiast.

If your partner is really into their cars and would appreciate a gift such as this, then a day out on the track driving one of these supreme vehicles may just be their most treasured experience. These experience days are truly affordable and would make the ultimate birthday or Valentine’s Day present for your loved one.
Or, if reading this has whet your own appetite for super cars, why not hire one for yourself and experience the high life?

Even more power with the new Land Rover Discovery 4

Tue 5th January 2010, by Tony

The Land Rover Discovery has been waiting for a make-over for a while and now the time has finally arrived for the release of the new model. The Discovery 4, which now sports a powerful diesel engine, is available in a choice of trim levels; GS, XS or HSE.

The Discovery has been designed to beat all competition in its class – and it certainly makes a good go of it. While its styling and image has only been changed slightly, the fact that the vehicle is now well-equipped for anything, certainly puts the Land Rover Discovery at the forefront of SUVs.

For the ultimate driving experience, the Discovery 4 provides an agile ride to all its passengers. The air-suspension and its 2.5 ton kerb-weight make it stick to even the trickiest of road surfaces and rough road conditions. This is what sets the vehicle apart from the other pretenders. The four-wheel drive transmission and torquey engine mean that the Discovery really proves its worth when driven off-road.

If you want to drive a refined Land Rover or any prestige vehicle, then there is nothing stopping you. Taking a drive in a car such as this is now even more affordable than ever, so take a look at dream car hire and see for yourself what it is like to drive a prestige vehicle.

New Jaguar XKR S

Mon 4th January 2010, by Tony

Luxury car fans, and Jaguar enthusiasts in particular, are in for a treat this year due to the release of the new Jaguar XKR S. This latest model not only has the typically sleek and powerful Jaguar appearance, but it also delivers outstanding performance. The following is a brief review of a few aspects of this impressive new model:

Appearance

The new XKR has undergone a few subtle improvements compared to previous models. The front grille is now enhanced with chrome-ringed intakes, the hood has been revised, and new 20-inch forged alloys adorn the Pirelli PZero tyres. The whole effect is impressive, intimidating and in typical Jaguar style, enticingly feline.

Interiors

You can choose from rich or dark oak, brushed aluminium, or Burl Walnut wood for the dashboard, and all interior fittings are finished with chrome highlights. Seats are firm but comfortable, and can easily be adjusted into the perfect driving position. Also, controls are easy to use – the car can be operated at the touch of a button.

Performance and specifications

The Jaguar XKR S has a supercharged engine, a top speed of 174 mph, improved suspension and uprated brakes. New aero bodykit parts reduce both drag and lift, meaning that the handling balance is now even more finely tuned, and gear changes and steering are even smoother than on previous models.

Whether you can afford to buy one of these beautiful machines, or if you just want to have the ultimate luxury car hire experience, the new Jaguar XKR S is a force to be reckoned with.

Why Do People Hire Prestige Cars?

Wed 23rd December 2009, by Tony

People who go for prestige car hire are usually those people who love fast and luxurious cars and don’t have access to them usually. What most people are looking for when they hire a luxury car is a driving experience rather than the need to get from one destination to another. Prestige hire is a completely different type of hire to run of the mill car hire, because it is based on the driving experience.

Many drivers say that they would love to be able to open up the power of a sports car when they are driving on country roads, and prestige car hire is one way of getting this kind of driving experience. Other motorists go for prestige car hire because they want to be able to drive a much bigger car than usual or they want to experience the luxurious interior or a particular car.

Whatever your reason for wanting to drive a prestige car you will never be disappointed by the experience. Driving a prestige car is fun, exhilarating and a once in a lifetime experience.

Insurance for prestige car hire

Tue 22nd December 2009, by Tony

There is no doubt about the fact that there has been a sharp rise in the number of people using prestige car hire. People who will never own a classic sports or luxury car can experience the thrill of driving such a vehicle simply by going to a prestige car hire firm. If you are thinking of hiring a prestige or luxury car then you may also want to sort out just what you are insured for before you drive the vehicle away.

You can purchase insurance from the car hire company to cover the period for which you are hiring the car. Most rental agreements already include third party fire and theft, but you may want a temporarily upgrade to all inclusive insurance when you rent. Buying your temporary insurance from the hire agency can be the perfect choice, you get the piece of mind knowing you are insured with them so any mishap won’t affect your own policy.

If you already have fully comp insurance on your own vehicle then it might be possible to cover driving a prestige hire car with just a small adjustment to your regular premiums.

Whatever option you choose there is no feeling like driving a luxury sports car or a prestige motor. You just need to make sure you are insured to the level you want before you drive away.

Prestige Car Hire

Mon 21st December 2009, by Tony

One of the main reasons that people choose prestige car hire over ordinary car hire is because it gives them a chance to realise their dreams. Men in particular may dream of one day owning an Aston Martin or a top model BMW and hiring such a car is the first step towards the fulfilment of that dream. When you get into the driving seat of a luxury fast car then it is easy to feel that you actually own it, if only for a short time.

People like the look of a luxury or prestige car and they also like the feel of the interior. Some prestige cars may have hidden extras inside that you wouldn’t get in an ordinary family car, such as a cocktail bar, while this may not be ideal in terms of road safety, when it comes to luxury, it’s great. Driving a prestige car can give a person the feeling that they really are living the high life and becoming a part of all that entails.

Driving a prestige car is the perfect gift for a birthday or Christmas. It really is the perfect way to realise your car driving dreams.

Driving for pleasure

Fri 18th December 2009, by Tony

If you speak to people who hire prestige cars you will usually find that they love the experience of driving something faster and bigger than they might normally drive.

There is no doubt that the cost of repairing or replacing a luxury or prestige car is probably much higher than it would be for the ordinary family saloon. Prestige car hire companies therefore have to make sure that drivers are adequately insured and they make sure of this by having a policy in place that will protect you and them also in case of any mishaps.

If you take the insurance the prestige car hire company offer you, and most insist on this, you will be safe in the knowledge that any problem you do have will not affect your own car insurance or your own no-claims bonus. Driving a prestige car can be a wonderful experience. And, because you have taken insurance with the car hire company you can be safe in the knowledge that you can have a great time and not worry about any potential issues.

Motor Shows and Prestige Car Hire

Thu 17th December 2009, by Tony

People who like cars may go to a motor show even though they may not be looking for a new car. A motor show is the ideal place to see what is new on the car market, especially when it comes to luxury or prestige cars. To drive a car though, you usually have to go to a car showroom.

Although some car showrooms will allow drivers to take a test drive, this is far less likely to happen when it comes to a prestige vehicle. Generally speaking if a person does not have the money to buy a luxury car, then the only way they might get to drive one is through a car hire agency.

There may be drivers who don’t just want prestige car hire; they want to be able to hire an exact replica of the vehicle they saw at the motor show. If you want to do this then you may have to wait some time before it is possible because vehicles that have been at the motor show may not be available to buy or hire until some time later. Although some prestige car hire companies have an excellent choice of vehicles available.

Hiring a luxury vehicle is a once in a lifetime experience and a great present for a loved one at Christmas time.

The Ferrari 458

Mon 14th December 2009, by Tony

If you’re a Ferrari fan, whether an owner or simply a prestige car hire addict, then you’ll love the Ferrari 458, which is the company’s latest offering in their stables. The car debuted at the 2009 1AA Frankfurt Motor Show. The 458 two seater has a mid rear six cylinder mounted engine, and defines Ferrari’s break from the past in terms of the high performance sports car.

Although Ferrari regard the 458 as a break from the past, the company still want to deliver on a thrilling driving experience for those members of the public who may want to purchase the new model, and so it carries on with Ferrari’s promise to deliver that experience, based on innovations in track technology.

Management state that the concept of the 458 was to create a relationship between vehicle and driver where each influenced the other, a symbiotic relationship if you will. Michael Schumacher is renowned for his understanding of the Ferrari, both as a driver and a concept developer, and the relationship angle is his contribution to the development of the 458. The latest offering from Ferrari can go from 0-100 kilometres an hour in under 3.4 seconds and has an unbelievable top speed of three hundred and twenty five kilometres an hour.

The Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

Wed 9th December 2009, by Tony

There are new luxury cars coming out of the workshop every day, and this includes some of the most famous names on road and race track. One of the latest of these prestige cars to enter the market is the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster; an open top two seater sports car. While the two seater may hark back to the nineteen fifties there is nothing retro about the power in this super shiny sports model.

The Roadster is designed for maximum functionality from its sleek looks to its Formula 1 standard braking and cornering. Manufacturers have, in classic Lamborghini style, placed the engine longitudinally, in front of the rear axle. The car has been described as a vehicle that has ‘menacing power’ and uncompromising performance’ hardly surprising in a 6.5 litre twelve cylinder that catapults the car from zero to sixty two miles an hour in less than four seconds.

The Reventon Roadster is capable of speeds up to two hundred and five miles per hour, and is one of the fastest and most exclusive sports cars in the world. Luxury car enthusiasts will be drooling at the mouth to get some driving time behind the steering wheel.

The Aston Martin Rapide

Tue 8th December 2009, by Tony

There are some sports cars that at only the mention of the name of the manufacturer you already know there will be style, luxury and elegance aplenty. Enter the long anticipated Aston Martin Rapide, first shown at the 2009 sixty third Frankfurt Motor show its first deliveries are anticipated early in 2010.

The four ‘swan wing door’ sports car incorporates a hand built 6.0V twelve litre engine and it has a Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission that allows the driver to change effortlessly from manual to automatic transmission when changing gear. The vehicle was first conceived in 2006 and after receiving the go ahead from share holders in 2007, the design and engineering team built it from the ground up on a little over two years.

The Rapide has ample room for four people and a luggage capacity of three hundred and one litres. The seats are specially designed for the comfort and support of both driver and passengers and back seat riders are provided with an individual heating and air conditioning system. The Rapide has been described as “the epitome of power and elegance, with new levels of refinement, comfort and entertainment”

The car was developed from the “V/H Architecture” platform, and Aston Martin’s chief executive regards the Rapide as the pinnacle of the company’s range of sports cars

Ferrari Hire

Thu 3rd December 2009, by Tony

Even though most people in the world will never be able to afford a Ferrari, that doesn’t stop them from dreaming about driving one. Nowadays it is possible to hire a luxury car or a fast super car such as the Ferrari. While it may be impossible to afford to buy the car of your dreams, it is possible to rent one. There are places that offer Ferrari hire, where you get a chance to drive up the road in the car of your dreams.

Many people say that the Ferrari is their dream car because it is associated with car racing and top motoring speeds. Men want to feel the power of being behind the wheel of a beautiful sports car and women want to experience speeding along with the wind blowing through their hair as if they hadn’t a care in the world. The Ferrari is a world famous car, it has been seen in motor races on television and those who own such a car are envied by those drivers who cannot afford them.

Many car rental agencies are now aware of the fact that there are a growing number of people who are interested in prestige car hire just for the experience. And there are now companies who hire out luxury or super cars like the Ferrari as part of a driving experience, where the driver experiences a once in a lifetime feeling of driving a powerful coveted car.

The Porsche 911 Sports Classic

Wed 2nd December 2009, by Tony

The Porsche executives recently presented their limited edition 911 Sports Classic at the 2009 Motor Show in Frankfurt. Rebirthing the tradition of producing a limited number of new model cars, Porsche are aiming their new vehicle at the limited number of people who can afford luxury sports cars.

Three years in development, the bespoke nature of the 911 will appeal to an already converted following. Styled in Porsche’s inimitable way, the car will be easily recognisable to its fans, and is some measure, a nod to the classic Porsche Carrera of the 1970s. The 911 has Fuchs’ designed, custom made, alloy wheels and powerful engine are just two of the features of this highly technical project.

Every vehicle in the limited 911 range comes in a classic grey colour with a stripe trim. The car has an almost futuristic luxury interior that goes beyond previous offerings. The car has a 3.8 litre, six cylinder horizontally opposed engine, rear wheel drive and acceleration from 0-100 kilometres an hour in 4.6 seconds. Although not quite in the league of a Ferrari super sport car, the 911 Sports Classic is still capable of reaching a very respectable three hundred and two kilometres an hour speed. Another feature of this limited edition Porsche is its New European fuel consumption guideline of twenty six miles per gallon, get out of the way of the buyer’s stampede.

David Beckham buys new Bentley Continental Supersports

Mon 30th November 2009, by Tony

News reaches us that England football superstar David Beckham has just added another super car to his collection. David already owns some fantastic vehicles both in the UK and at his US home, including cars from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Porsche. His new motor is a stunning Bentley Continental Supersports that he was snapped in recently while driving in Beverley Hills.

The new Bentley Supersports costs £163,000 and runs on bio-fuel meaning he can do his bit for the environment while driving round Los Angeles. Beckham’s car is grey and has a twin turbo charged W12 engine that produces 621bhp but still manages to deliver a net CO2 reduction of 70% due to the bio-fuel addition. The car can of course work on regular petrol, bio-fuel or a combination of both depending on the situation.

Beckham also owns a black Rolls Royce Phantom that he is frequently seen driving and a customised £200,000 Porsche. To complete his collection he owns two Aston Martins, a Lamborghini Gallardo and has owned a number of Ferraris including an F430, F550, 550 Maranello and a 360 Spider.

Audi A7 release date

Thu 26th November 2009, by Tony

The new Audi A7, which many people did not think would been seen until at least the Paris Motor Show next year, has been spied whilst it was being prepared for its first road test in Germany.

Pictures of the car clearly show a useful hatchback with distinct front grille and aerodynamic spoiler. The car looks like a big brother edition of the current A5. And, speculation surrounding the actual release date is still rife but expect to have to wait until 2011 to park one in your garage.

The new A7 will feature the second generation Audi MMI cabin control system and new air suspension system to refine the handling and improve the ride. Expect engines including a new 3.0 litre twin turbo V6 diesel and V6 and V8 petrol units.

The question on everyone’s lips is whether Audi will produce S7 and RS7 versions of the car, and the current answer is this looks very likely if demand is high enough.

If you would like to drive a luxury car like the Audi A7 why not have a look at the various offerings from dream car hire companies. You can rent a car for a couple of days or longer to impress your friends or to use for a business trip.

Give him the James Bond experience this Christmas by hiring him an Aston Martin for the day

Mon 23rd November 2009, by Tony

Men can sometimes be difficult to buy for at Christmas, but if you remember that most men love cars, action heroes and gadgets, then you should be on the right track. You can now combine all of his favourite things in one amazing gift, by hiring him an exclusive Aston Martin luxury car for the day.

This will undoubtedly be the best Christmas present your boyfriend or husband has ever received; he will get to play James Bond, the ultimate action spy, for the day by getting behind the wheel of 007’s favourite car, the Aston Martin.

You could choose a classic Aston Martin, but why not go for the more glamorous modern versions of the classic design, such as the DB9 or DBS, or even the V8 Vantage? These cars are jet-black, can go from 0 to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds, and have a luxurious driver-centred interior. Put simply, they offer rich, dynamic performance in a hand-finished, beautifully designed vehicle.

Aston Martin hire is also relatively affordable. From many luxury car hire companies, you can let your man loose on one for less than £500 a day, which includes insurance and a mileage allowance. Why not combine his James Bond experience with a romantic and exciting weekend getaway, where you can enjoy the sumptuous elegance of the Aston Martin whilst he gets to live out his ultimate fantasy?

New Audi A8 is on its way

Fri 20th November 2009, by Tony

Spy shots of the new Audi A8 have just been released and the car looks great. Speculation surrounding the release date would suggest that we should see a production model some time around late 2010. The car was heavily camouflaged but instantly recognisable was the large front grille and rear LED lights.

The car is purported to feature a ‘self drive’ computer that uses cameras positioned in the fog light housings to work out the distance to objects in front of the vehicle and then steer the car appropriately or slow down if necessary.

Expect engines to be similar to the current offerings including a 2.8 litre V6 and 4.2 litre V8 model topping the range. The range topping diesel version will be a 6.0 litre V12 TDi. As usual Audi will offer a 4 wheel Quattro option and we can expect luxury to be heightened in the cabin.

Full production images are yet to be released but the car looks stunning and will really add that touch of luxury to the range. If you would like to drive a luxury Audi why not visit a luxury car hire company who will be able to cater to all your needs.

Jaguar C-Type production expected 2012

Tue 17th November 2009, by Tony

Jaguar has released sketchy details regarding the expected release of the new C-Type. The car is expected in a concept version in 2011 and promises to be a little bit special.

The sports car line up will sit below the XK range and is estimated to cost around the £50,000 mark. The few shots released show the car looking stunning with a sleek body shape, XJ style grille and muscular bonnet bulge. The car is expected to feature Jaguar’s new 5 litre V8 engine that produces 380bhp but expect a supercharged 500bhp V8 sometime after the initial release.

The C-type will use an all aluminium chassis (like the XK) and feature four seats, although it remains to be seen how useable the rear seats will be.

Jaguar has really upped their game recently and the new C-Type is an eagerly awaited addition to their range. The car is expected to be available in coupé format and also as a roadster and will aim for a share the market against the Audi TT RS and the Mercedes SLK55 AMG. We hope for a production release in 2012.

New Porsche 928

Fri 13th November 2009, by Tony

Porsche are reliving their past with their new 928 grand tourer. The car will be placed above the 911 in the Porsche range and will be directly pitted against rivals Ferrari and Aston Martin.

The new 928 is a front engined super car that is based on the Panamera and promises to wow the competition with beautifully sculpted sleek body lines and a 2+2 layout. The wheel base is slightly shorter than the Panamera but the car will feature the same range of engines. There are 4.8 V8 turbo or non-turbo versions that produce 500bhp and 400bhp respectively and rumours abound about a hybrid version that will take its lead from the electro-petrol Panamera that is due to be released soon.

Buyers can expect to pay around the £80,000 mark when the car is released in 2012, somewhere between the 911 and the Panamera price tag. Although with tough competition in the market at the moment we expect Porsche to try to aim at a slightly lower level than direct competitor models.

If you have never driven a Porsche before then there is no time like the present. Why not have a look at the many different supercar hire options that are available. You will be amazed at the selection on offer and the amazingly low prices.

The new BMW M3 GTS

Wed 11th November 2009, by Tony

If you are a BMW fan then you need to take a look at the brilliant new track inspired M3 GTS. The car is a stunning homage to the standard M3 and takes the car to a level not seen too often by road going vehicles.

The car features a new 4.4 litre V8 engine which boosts the power from the standard M3 by 36bhp to 450bhp. The standard M3 gearbox is dropped and is replaced by a twin-clutch seven speed M-DCT arrangement and the chassis gets new springs and dampers. If you are already thinking the set up is a little tasty, the rear seats are removed and replaced with a roll cage, there is dramatic weight savings on the standard version with the addition of a carbon fibre roof and to keep the car hugging the road there is an adjustable front splitter and huge rear spoiler.

The price tag stands at the €115,000 mark and is currently only available to order in Germany. It remains to be seen whether BMW will produce the vehicle in a right hand drive option.

New Porsche Boxster Spyder to hit the roads next year

Fri 6th November 2009, by Tony

Porsche have announced that there is to be a new addition to amazing Spyder range. The vehicle- which is a more lightweight version of the original Boxster- has been named the Boxster Spyder.

The Boxster Spyder boasts a new style low-slung silhouette, attractive and lightweight soft-top and humps which stretch across the boot-lid and over to the rear spoiler.

Porsche have confirmed that the Spyder can reach 60mph in an amazing 4.8 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 166mph.This super car features a 3.4 litre engine, and can put out 320bhp.

Another massive selling point of the Boxster Spyder is that you’re likely to save a couple of hundred pounds on road tax compared to the original model. Trips to the petrol pumps are also likely to be reduced, as the super car has fuel consumption figures of 30.4mpg when paired with the PDK gearbox.

The Boxster Spyder, which is due to be officially launched next month, will be the most lightweight Porsche to date, and is expected to retail at £44,643 when it goes on sale in February 2010.

If you can’t quite justify spending this then it’s worth renting one out from a super car hire company when they become available, as this is one driving experience you won’t want to miss out on.

Vintage Aston Martin sells for £550,000 at RM/Sotheby’s auction

Thu 5th November 2009, by Tony

The chairman of Aston Martin, David Brown, recently put his 1950 Aston Martin DB2 up for auction at RM Auctions in association with Sotheby’s ‘Automobiles of London” sale, and came out with a pleasantly surprising price. After receiving an initial estimate of £250,000 from the auction house, Brown was delighted when the hammer came down at a record breaking £550,000 ($90,000).

Classic car adviser Simon Kidston commented on this strong sale price in an interview about the sale, explaining how the car’s new owner will have instant access to exclusive racing events, as well as obtaining a timeless piece of Aston Martin automotive history.

The car itself is a dark blue classic British racer, kept unrestored in Brown’s private collection for the last 52 years. Its unique selling point was that it had raced twice at world-famous endurance racetrack Le Mans, coming fifth in 1950, and third in the race in 1951.

As well as the Aston Martin, 84 luxury and classic cars and 37 items of memorabilia were up for sale, with the total figures of sold items reaching £10.9 million.

Despite these vast figures, there’s no need for luxury car enthusiasts to give up the dream of experiencing one; as Aston Martin Hire can give you a taste of the luxury experience for a fraction of the price.

The new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Tue 3rd November 2009, by Tony

If you are a Ferrari fan you might want to take a look at the sneaky new pics that have surfaced on the internet for the new 612 Scaglietti. The car looks fantastic and promises to be a bigger version of the current car that will feature more power, more comfort for passengers and be that most important of all things at the moment – more economical.

The car will feature a fantastic upgraded 6.0 litre V12 engine that increases its power from 540bhp in the current model to 600bhp in the new version. The top speed will be thus increased as will the 0-60 time which will now be a touch under the 4 second mark. The prototype version is going to have some subtle changes to the current test body shape to make it less controversial so expect the bonnet bulge to stay but the lines to be softened to create a sleeker look.

The car will be the second Ferrari to feature the double clutch gearbox after the California proved a success and will be available from 2011. Expect to pay around £225,000 if you want to buy.

The BMW X1

Thu 29th October 2009, by Tony

When the X5 was launched to great applause a few years ago, BMW didn’t know what an effect it would have on the British market. The car was of course a great success and was followed swiftly by the X3 and then X6. So to take the SUV range to the next level, BMW have just released the X1.

The car is of course much smaller than the other models in the ‘X’ range and for the first time BMW has gone with an all diesel range. It’s an off-roader with attitude and takes its styling cues from its bigger brothers and the 3 series coupé.

There are three diesel engine alternatives on offer, the 141bhp, 175bhp and 201bhp. Different spec cars either come with rear wheel drive (sDrive) or 4-wheel drive (xDrive) but all cars are brilliant through corners and look great on the road.

BMW has stolen a march on their competitors and the car hits the market before Audi’s Q3 and the Range Rover LRX. The car is a brilliant addition to the BMW range and with a price tag of only £29,000 BMW can expect lots of sales in the next few years.

Toyota unveil new Celica

Tue 27th October 2009, by Tony

The Toyota Celica is back. If you are a fan of coupés it would be hard to leave out the Toyota Celica from your list of top coupes of all time. Well now Toyota have given in to the clamouring for a new model and have just displayed their concept version for the new car at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The car, named the FT-86, will be a rear wheel drive coupé that will be directly pitched against the new Volkswagen Scirocco and Nissans 350Z (and it looks like Toyotas designers have been looking at the Nissan when designing the new Toyota).

The new car is the result of a Toyota-Subaru partnership and will feature the Subaru 2.0 flat four engine seen in the Impreza. The engine produces 200bhp which means the new car should be able to achieve 0-60mph in under seven seconds and touch 140mph.

If you haven’t seen the press release pics yet you should have a look. The car looks brilliant with sharp angular lines and design cues taken from the FT-HS hybrid. When it goes into production, which is expected to be in 2012, the car will be pitched at the £25,000 mark.

Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept

Mon 26th October 2009, by Tony

The MX-5 is a Mazda institution and although Mazda have made tweaks to their original design, the concept has remained the same since 1989. A two-seater open topped sports car that focuses on drivability, agility and style.

So why change a winning formula?

You will be glad to know that Mazda haven’t changed the MX-5 with the MX-5 superlight roadster concept, they have just made it better.

Whilst this might not be a car to use everyday, the Superlight Roadster holds true to all the MX-5’s brilliant values and just shakes them up and adds a little wind in your hair to the package too.

If you haven’t yet seen the concept version that was first aired at the Frankfurt motor show, it’s a version loosely based on the standard MX-5, with extra carbon fibre around the cockpit and a distinct lack of front windscreen. The car looks stunning and has been reduced in weight to just 995kg so even though it uses the 125bhp 1.8 litre engine, the car can still travel from 0-62 in 8.9 seconds.

Because of the lack of windscreen, the car could be a little uncomfortable on long drives but that is not what the car was built for. It’s more at home on twisty country roads and shouts fun with every press of the accelerator.

The Porsche Cayman S

Thu 22nd October 2009, by Tony

The Porsche Cayman has been around for a few years now but Porsche have not been standing still and have introduced an array of updates to their brilliant performance car.

The best update to the vehicle comes in the form of a more powerful version of the previous 3.4 litre flat 6. This gives the car an extra boost just when you need it, whilst still providing the fantastic performance the previous version excelled at.

Prices for the Cayman start at around £44,500 but if you want the extras on offer, and when you see them you will want them, you will be looking at a more realistic figure of around the £55,000 mark. If you can’t stretch quite that much you could always rent one from a super car hire company to get the experience without the damage to your pocket.

The new car produces 316bhp and can propel you from 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. But the best thing about the Porsche is its performance on the open road. It has poise through fast bends and accelerates perfectly out of slow corners meaning a brilliant driving experience.

Jenson Button takes F1 crown

Mon 19th October 2009, by Tony

After the ups and downs of a dramatic F1 season, Jenson Button has finally been crowned F1 World Champion. The British driver has been struggling of late after winning six out of the first seven races of the season. People even started to doubt Jenson’s capability to finish off his competitors and some sections of the press insinuated that the stress was getting to him. Whether or not this was true, Jenson produced a championship winning performance in Brazil with some scintillating driving that was reminiscent of his earlier races in the season.

Double congratulations were also in store as his team Brawn GP also wrapped up the constructors championship after Jenson finished fifth and team mate and potential championship runner up Rubens Barrichello finished eighth. This is a fantastic achievement for Brawn considering it is their first season in F1 Grand prix racing.

The World championship victory by Button overshadowed a great performance by race winner Mark Weber in probably the best and most exciting race of the F1 season.

You won’t be able to drive Jenson’s winning Brawn GP car, but if you like performance cars and have always dreamt about driving a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, super car hire companies can rent you a vehicle for a day or even longer, so you can feel like a world champion too.

The new Audi R4

Wed 14th October 2009, by Tony

Audi first revealed their e-tron electric concept model at the Frankfurt motor show last month and the car will now make its way into full production. The R4 will be seen as the baby brother to the R8 and will also feature petrol versions to run alongside the electric models.

The new range will see the electric version as the flagship vehicle and feature four electric motors (two on each axle) taking remarkable similarities to the four wheel Quattro versions they are so famous for. The motors will produce 300bhp and the car will be able to travel from 0-60 in under 5 seconds – not bad for a car that needs to be plugged in.

The electric version will have a range of 155 miles before each charge and most of the drive will come from the rear wheels making the car’s handling sublime. It will be available in a drop top version and a coupé version so everyone is catered for, and is expected to be available sometime around 2012.

Audi have yet to decide on prices, but this will mostly depend on whether they take Renault’s lead and lease the batteries to the cars owner or expect purchasers to buy them outright.

Jaguar XFR

Mon 12th October 2009, by Tony

You might think at a quick glance that the Jaguar XFR is just another souped-up four door saloon, but you would be wrong. Yes, this is a wolf in sheep’s clothing but it also has true super car credentials.

At the heart of the vehicle lies a 5 litre V8 supercharged monster that produces 503bhp and can propel the car from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds (it is actually the same engine used in the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport).

The car features a fabulous paddle shift gear change system and interior styling to die for with nice little touches including overhead lights that activate by just touching the panel and possibly the best iPod in car system from any car manufacturer.

Prices start at just under £60,000 and with a top speed of 155mph it is directly placed against the BMW M5, and the Mercedes E63 AMG. The vehicle is a beautiful British driving machine and is a fantastic drive whether on the motorway or on country roads.

You can hire cars like this from super car hire companies so you can try before you buy.

The Porsche 911 GT3

Fri 9th October 2009, by Tony

The new Porsche 911 GT3 is a serious performance motor vehicle. The car features many changes from the previous version to make the car perfectly honed for power and speed. The bhp is boosted by 20bhp to a jaw dropping 435bhp and the torque is increased to 430Nm. Porsche have done everything possible to shed weight from your car and with the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) active suspension system added to car, it is just as good on the road as it is on the track. The grip around corners is incredible and with gear changing made easy by the short shift gearbox system, the power is seamlessly transferred to the cars rear wheels.

One option Porsche offers that should be given careful consideration is the £5,500 ceramic brakes. These shed more weight from the car and improve the overall braking feel. Other improvements to the car are bi-xenon headlamps and modified air intakes.

The top speed is a brilliant 194mph and it can reach 99mph in only 8.2 seconds. Prices start at the £82,000 mark, but expect to pay more if you add some of the excellent options on offer.

If you are the lucky purchaser of a new car, Porsche will throw in a day at the driving experience centre at Silverstone as part of the package. However, if you just fancy driving a car like this for the day, super car hire companies offer great rates and also weekend packages so you can drive a super car without actually having to own one.

Bentley Continental Supersports

Tue 6th October 2009, by Tony

Bentley has just added the new Supersports to their range of Continental cars. The flagship model takes the range to new heights of sophistication, elegance and speed.

The Supersports has a 6 litre W12 engine that produces 621bhp and you can expect a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds. The top speed is a fantastic 204mph and the car features a new sporty interior that sees the front seats replaced with bucket style racing seats and a gap where the rear seats used to be.

The car has seen a style makeover and now features new bonnet vents, larger exhaust pipes, ten spoke alloys wheels, quickshift gear system and uprated suspension.

It is the first Bentley to use the new Flexfuel technology, which means the car can run on either petrol or E85 bioethanol which is a perfect addition for all the enviro-friendly top end purchasers. With a price tag of £169,400 it is over £20,000 more expensive than the previous top end model and you can boost the price further by adding from the selection of extras on offer.

The car pushes the Bentley marque further than it has gone before and shows that they are continuing to produce beautiful cars despite the current economic downturn.

The Lotus Evora

Fri 2nd October 2009, by Tony

If you like a car that has real speed and can handle like a demon then you will already be aware your choices are limited. But one car manufacturer that springs to mind immediately that can offer all these things in one perfect package is – Lotus.

Lotus’s new offering is called the Evora and cars will be rolling off the production lines at the end of May. If you have not seen the car yet it looks fabulous, and if it has the prowess of previous models we are in for a treat.

The car is a mid-engined 2+2 and has a V6 3.5 litre Toyota engine that will propel you from 0-60 in around 5 seconds. The engine produces 280bhp and a top speed of 150mph is claimed by Lotus. As you might expect, the seats in the back are not too spacious but there is enough room for your kids or even adults if you only need to travel a short distance.

There is talk in the future of adding a hybrid engine to the range as well as an automatic gearbox and a convertible. Prices start at the £45,000 mark and orders are being taken now.

The Alfa 8C Spider

Tue 29th September 2009, by Tony

The Alfa 8C Spider is one supercar that is instantly recognisable from the trademark Alfa grill styling. It was launched at this years Geneva motor show and all those of you who visited the Goodwood Festival of Speed will instantly recognise the car and the gorgeous exhaust sounds the car makes.

The 8C coupé inspired car has fantastic performance and beautiful styling, and with a top speed of around 180 mph and a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds you won’t be looking at it for long in your rear view mirror. The power comes from a 4.7 litre V8 that produces 450bhp which travels to the cars rear wheels via a Cambiocorsa six speed gearbox.

There are only 500 Spiders due to be made – the same as the 8C. And with the 8C coupe cars being sold out in a matter of weeks you might already be too late to put in your order for the Spider. The price tag is a not too hefty £120,000, which is not too bad for a car as good looking as this.

If you are really lucky, the only chance you might have of driving the car is to hire one from a super car hire company.

Bugatti Veyron Gran Sport Sang Bleu

Mon 28th September 2009, by Tony

We have already brought you news about the fantastic Lamborghini Reventón Roadster that featured at last weeks Frankfurt Motor Show, but we have failed to mention the other mind blowing super car that left all its viewers awestruck. You might have heard about the Bugatti Veyron but have you heard about the Veyron Gran Sport Sang Bleu?

The car is a one-off special edition built to commemorate Bugatti’s 100th anniversary and what a way to mark the occasion. It has a carbon fibre body and aluminium exterior and as you can guess by the name, it features a stunning Royal blue paint job.

The engine is a W16 monster that produces 1001 hp and 1250 Nm of torque. The car can reach a top speed of 407km/h with the hard top in place, but if you fancy a breath of fresh air the car will only be able to get you to 360km/h – still a little quicker than your average super mini. If you were thinking of buying it however you are out of luck. The car was first exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance where one lucky person bought it for a staggering 1.9 million Euros.

The Lamborghini Reventón Roadster

Wed 23rd September 2009, by Tony

The Frankfurt motor show ends on the 27th of September, but one super car that caught our eye was the fighter plane styled Lamborghini Reventón.

The car is a Roadster version of the coupe that sold out within days when it was released at the Frank Motor Show in 2007. The new car carries a hefty price tag at 1.1 million Euros, but after just one look at the car you will see why.

The car follows a multi angular theme with distinct lines that flow from front to back creating the look of a fighter plane. The engine is a fantastic 6.5 litre V12 that produces 670 bhp and 487 lb ft of torque. This means the car can travel from 0-60 in an amazing 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 205mph. The car features a speed adjusted rear spoiler that deploys at 80mph and further alters its position over speeds of 136mph.

The car is mostly made from carbon fibre and the interior is similar to the Murciélago’s which looks fantastic. It is only available in one colour – Reventón grey, said to mimic the colour that fighter planes use. If you haven’t already seen the pics you should have a look on the internet, the car looks fabulous.

If you want to have a drive of the car you should put your name on the purchase list quickly, there are less than 20 cars going to be made available for general sale.

Edo Competition Ferrari Enzo

Mon 21st September 2009, by Tony

If you are the proud owner of a Ferrari Enzo then you might think that your car choice could not get any better. However, now tuning company Edo Competition have just released a revamped version of the fantastic Italian super car.

The Ferrari Enzo is a true dream car and so you might think it could not be improved - Edo think they have done it. The car has a 6.3 litre engine instead of the standard 6.0 litre and a weight reduction of 100kgs. It also has suspension changes to cope with the increased torque and a new retractable rear wing to keep the car hugging the road.

To give you some idea of the new performance figures, the car now has a top speed of 242mph and a 0-62mph time of only 3.2 seconds. The bhp is boosted by 180 to a magnificent 840bhp or 860 bhp without mufflers.

The car was already magnificent before the changes and Edo think they have made it even better. We will have to wait until the first drive to see if the claims are true.

The Aston Martin Rapide has finally arrived

Thu 17th September 2009, by Tony

Aston Martin has finally pulled the wrappers off their production spec Rapide model at the Frankfurt Motor show that is currently taking place in Germany. And, what a fantastic motor it looks too. We have brought you news in the past on this blog about Aston’s Rapide development and finally the production car is here.

The car harks back to the concept version we first viewed what seems like years ago now and keeps subtle touches from the concept, such as hidden door openers, clear brake clusters and it stays true to the concept’s styling. However, the side air intakes on the bumper seen on the concept are gone and the tapered roofline has been changed a little to give passengers a little extra space.

The car is everything you would expect from Aston – luxury, style and class. The 6.0 litre V12 engine promises to propel the car from 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds and with 470 bhp on offer, the car is every driver’s dream.

The first models can be picked up by customers in May 2010 and the price – it’s a cool £150,000.

Ferrari laptop aimed at supercar lovers

Mon 14th September 2009, by Tony

If you like supercar manufacturer Ferrari and have only ever dreamed about driving one of the worlds most prestigious vehicles, then unless you use one of the brilliant super car hire companies to rent a vehicle for a day, it might be sometime until you can actually afford one of your own.

Most super car companies have however loads of collectables and memorabilia that is well within our reach. One item that recently caught our eye is the Acer Ferrari One notebook. If you are into Ferrari and like to stay up to date with the latest technological advances, then this laptop is for you.

It is of course emblazoned with the famous prancing horse, and being styled in Ferrari red really stands this laptop out from the crowd. Bundled with Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system and a duel core AMD Athlon L310 processor, this notebook is no slouch – just like the real super car.

It is due for release soon and is expected to hit the market at around the £499 mark.

New McLaren production car expected in 2011

Thu 10th September 2009, by Tony

Good news reaches us from McLaren, the racing group that is more commonly associated with Formula 1. They have just unveiled plans to create a new road car – the first since the amazing F1 which was released in 1998. Recently McLaren have been heavily involved with the manufacturer Mercedes Benz in the production of the Mercedes SLR McLaren, a run of 75 one million dollar sports cars that will end with the McLaren SLR Stirling Moss.

McLaren want to venture further from their small production capabilities and eventually propose to create 800 jobs and produce around 4000 cars per year. The initial venture will see around 1000 cars per year produced and with the new car costing between £125,000 and £175,000 it hopes to compete against super car giants Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Aston Martin. There is little information surrounding the new car, although is has been named the ‘12C’ but its expected launch date is hoped to be sometime in 2011.

McLaren racing hopes their venture into production car manufacture will prevent any jobs from being lost in its racing arm of the company if F1 budgets are cut in the future.

Aston Martin takes a one, two, and three at the Nürburgring 1000km

Tue 8th September 2009, by Tony

Aston Martin Racing claimed an amazing first three places at the Nürburgring 1000km endurance race the weekend before last. The race is one of the highlights of the German racing calendar and is a 195 lap endurance race competed by teams of three drivers and is the forth race in the prestigious Le Mans series.

The winners were the Aston Martin 007 team of Jan Charouz, Tomas Enge and Stefan Mucke, closely followed by the 009 then the 008 team. All three cars were trouble free for the duration of the race and only stopped for their scheduled pit stops. The result is the best ever for Aston Martin racing in the Le Mans series and hopes now turn to the Silverstone race on the 11th, 12th and 13th of September.

Stefan Mucke took the chequered flag in his home race and with the team now leading both the Driver and Team Championships it shows just how good the Aston Martin car really is.

Ferrari confirm: Massa will be back next year

Fri 4th September 2009, by Tony

Ever since his crash in the Hungarian Grand Prix back in July, there have been many concerns regarding the future of Felipe Massa and whether he would ever get behind the wheel of his beloved Ferrari again. The car manufacturer has now confirmed that, although Massa will not be back this season, recent test results have proved to be positive.

Despite suffering serious head injuries in the crash, Massa has defied those who said he would never race again by getting himself into a position where he is well on the road to a recovery. He hopes to be back in training soon in preparation for a Formula One return at the start of next season.

Massa has had to undergo plastic surgery and he underwent further neurological and vision tests at the Jackson memorial hospital in Miami this week. The sport has been boosted by the announcement from Ferrari, who confirmed the 28-year-old was delighted with the outcome and is now recuperating back at home.

Ferrari have confirmed that they are looking forward to \"being able to count on Felipe 100% for the start of the next racing season\".

There is a long road ahead for Massa if he hopes to pass the stringent tests set by the International Motorsport Federation (FIA), but this is still great news that has been met with optimism by fans of the sport.

If you would like to get behind the wheel of a performance vehicle yourself, such as the Ferrari 430 Spider, then why not consider Ferrari hire and turn your lifelong dream into a reality?

The new Jaguar XKR is rapid and exciting to drive

Tue 1st September 2009, by Tony

If you are a real car enthusiast then you will have been waiting with baited breath to find out how good the Jaguar XKR really is.

With the release of three cutting edge new engines this year, it has been a great year for Jaguar.

The Jaguar XKR is set to rival the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and the BMW M6, fairing really well against these impressive motors.

The new Jaguar is easier to drive than the Aston Martin, plus takes the edge over the BMW.

The XKR saloon looks incredible and it moves effortlessly on even the most challenging of roads. As a road machine the new XKR has been updated with a new V8 engine and five litres of capacity.

The beast can generate 510bhp and 461lb/ft of pulling power. It has direct fuel injection and this makes an already fast car, even faster. All the energy at a driver’s disposal is phenomenal, and the lightweight design makes it feel like it is being driven in the air.

The drive is a smooth one and the engine’s power is channelled through a perfect automatic transmission, with a six-speed unit which has an option to be controlled manually via paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

Overall, this is an extremely responsive motor and it certainly feels like a top-of-the-range supercar. If you have been considering super car hire, you really need to drive one yourself to fully appreciate this wonderful machine.

The Oulton Park Gold Cup

Fri 28th August 2009, by Tony

This bank holiday weekend, why not visit Oulton Park in Cheshire. The 30th and 31st of August is ‘Gold Cup’ weekend where the sports cars roll back the years around the Cheshire track with vintage models from the 1950s, 60s and 70s taking centre stage.

If you are fond of classic cars or just sports cars in general then this is the place to be this weekend. There will be over 400 classic motors taking part and race events include the Derek Bell Trophy for Formula 2 and F5000 cars of the 60s and 70s and the Guards trophy for 60s GT and Sports Racing cars.

As well as the scheduled races, highlights include:

• Mini’s golden anniversary parade
• Group B rally cars demonstrations
• BHRC (British Historic Rally Championship) demonstrations on the Oulton Park rally stage
• Car club displays including Chevrons, Gilberns and 100 years of Morgan
• Celebration of the first F5000 race in the UK

Tickets are available on the gates and are prices at £20.00 for Adults and children aged 12 and under go absolutely free.

So why not marvel at the beautiful cars of our past and have a great day out with the whole family.

The Noble M600

Wed 26th August 2009, by Tony

Dream cars often draw gasps of appreciation and astonishment from admiring spectators. None more so than the current Aston Martin models. Well now Aston might be looking over their shoulders after Noble just released news about their forthcoming M600. A car that might even give the Aston One 77 a run for its money.

The Noble M600 is a British made sports car that can travel from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds dead and produces an amazing 650bhp. This is all made possible by a Volvo 4.4 litre twin V8 engine and amazing body design and handling. One look at the press release pics and it won’t be long before you are scouring the internet in the hope of finding any video footage.

The M600 is based on the M14 concept car Noble previously designed and their M15 model. It has a carbon fibre body and with its developers concentrating on the cars performance not being masked by computer assisted handling systems it promises to be a true driver’s car. The car will be officially launched in November but if you want to get a sneak peek, it will be at the Goodwood Revival event between the 19th and 21st of September.

The 2010 Aston Martin Rapide

Mon 24th August 2009, by Tony

Hot on the heels of rival Porsche, Aston Martin are getting ready to release their 4 door coupé. Featuring four seats, it’s Astons first production four door model in 25 years and will closely resemble the concept version first shown at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show.

The car will go head to head with Porsche’s new Panamera model and the Mercedes CLS Class when released, but the Rapide is more like a 2+2 than the Panamera and boasts more space and some would argue more luxury. The Rapide is the first Aston Martin to be built outside the UK with cars being produced at the purpose built plant in Austria. On first looks, the car is quite similar to the DB9 but with more space for your kids and room in the boot for a trip away it’s going to be great for the executive who has a growing family.

Plans are still to use the DB9’s V12 engine with the brake horse power upped to 470bhp. And with rear wheel drive and six speed auto box as standard we can’t wait for the first drive.

It was expected that the car would be released later this year but an early 2010 release now looks more likely.

Add that extra little sparkle to your wedding day

Thu 20th August 2009, by Tony

Are you currently planning your wedding? Do you fancy a change from the standard wedding car that most couples choose? If you feel like trying something that little bit different then why not choose one of the most luxurious performance cars in the world.

Turning up at the church in a Ferrari or a Lamborghini is definitely a great way to travel in style (and impress all your guests). The wedding photos will look great and by doing something just that little bit out of the ordinary you will remember the occasion more vividly.

There are specific performance and luxury car hire companies that can cater to all your needs in the selection process. So if you fancy an Aston Martin DB9 Volante or perhaps a Bentley GT convertible to add that extra sparkle to your special day then check out the various cars on offer. These companies will let you hire the car for a day or longer and with competitive prices on offer you won’t spend much more than a standard wedding car rental.

So to add something that little bit extra special to your day, choose luxury car hire and drive to your wedding in style.

UK car sales up in July

Wed 19th August 2009, by Tony

With the new car industry struggling somewhat in the current recession, good news reaches us that new car sales were actually up in July. Sales rose by 2.4% last month industry figures have shown. Most new car sales can be attributed to the Government’s scrappage incentive scheme where a £2,000 incentive is paid to car owners who can scrap their cars that were registered before the 31st of August 1999.

There were a total of 157,149 new cars sold during July and over 30,000 of them can be directly attributed to the scrappage scheme incentive. That is nearly one fifth of all sales in the month. Unfortunately sales are still lower than at this time last year but the new figures are a much needed boost to the beleaguered car industry who will take some time to recover following the downturn in the economy.

If you are thinking of buying a new car, whether a family run around or a prestige motor vehicle it is always great to try before you buy. Prestige car hire companies have many super car models on offer that you can hire for a day or longer to see what the car has to offer.

Badoer will fill in for Massa after Schumacher struggles

Thu 13th August 2009, by Tony

Sad news for all die hard F1 fans, the legendary Michael Schumacher will not be returning to take Felipe Massa’s place in the Valencia Grand Prix after all. In an earlier blog post we brought you the exciting news that Schumacher was hoping to stand in for Massa after the Brazilian suffered a freak accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month. Schumacher is a legend amongst F1 fans; the German driver won 91 races in his career and won 7 driver championships during this time.

Unfortunately the neck injury that Schumacher sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier in the year has proven too difficult to overcome, and with the extreme G-forces that a Formula 1 car puts on a drivers body, Schumacher could not take the strain. Schumacher has spoken how he was “saddened” by the decision but promoted the man who will step into his shoes, Luca Badoer.

Badoer is the Ferrari test driver and his last race in F1 was more than 10 years ago. However he has proved to be instrumental in Ferrari testing and will now take the reins until Massa can return.

The news will be disappointing for F1 fans but the season so far has been one of the most exciting for years. The European Grand Prix in Valencia will take place on the 23rd of August.

Audi R8 2009 V10

Wed 12th August 2009, by Tony

Audi have many executive models in their range including the A6 and A8, but until recently if you wanted something a little sportier you only had the option of the TT. Times change however and in 2007 the magnificent R8 was launched.

The R8 initially featured a 4.2 litre V8 engine and initially many rumours surrounded the addition of a more powerful engine in the future, especially since there was space strategically left in the engine bay for something meatier. Well now that version has arrived in the form of a V10 5.2 litre monster that was first introduced in the Lamborghini Galliardo LP560-4. The car has kept its name ‘R8’ when many thought it would change to ‘R10’ and had has many tweaks to its design to cope with the greater weight and power.

The car features new 19” alloy wheels, carbon-fibre side panels as standard and a larger rear diffuser. The suspension has also been stiffened to deal with the extra weight but otherwise there are no massive changes to the overall design. In fact Audi has stated that the car was always designed with the V10 in mind.

The V10 FSI Quattro is available for just under £100,000 which is quite a bit more than the £77,000 it would cost you to buy the R8, but if you have this sort of money the V10 is definitely the best buy.

Schumacher is back

Mon 10th August 2009, by Tony

Due to the unfortunate loss of Felipe Massa to the injury he sustained in Hungary, Ferrari were a man down for the remainder of the F1 season. Step up Michael Schumacher, the legendary Ferrari driver that dominated the sport in recent years. Schumacher won 91 times between 1991 and 2006 picking up 7 driver championship titles in that time.

The German retired from racing at the end of 2006 and is now 40 years of age but still has close connections with Ferrari. He was seen recently masquerading as ‘The Stig’ on BBC1’s flagship motoring show TopGear but was really on the show to drive Ferrari’s amazing FSX.

The news will be welcomed by many F1 fans who will see his introduction to the team as tasty reminder as to how good he used to be and whether he will be good enough to compete against new F1 heroes like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Schumacher will cover for Massa until he recovers from his injury and is in training for the European Grand Prix in Valencia on the 23rd of August.

If you want to drive a prestige motor vehicle like a Ferrari, there are many luxury car hire companies that have cars such as the amazing Ferrari 430 that you can hire for a day or longer so you can drive the car of your dreams.

The Porsche community

Wed 5th August 2009, by Tony

Whenever you think of Porsche the name is synonymous with super car status and of course the 911. Porsche’s current UK fleet includes the aforementioned 911, the Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne and all new Panamera.

Whilst new Porsches may feature on the top of any new buyer’s super car list there are whole communities and clubs associated with some of their older models, and in fact some mint old Porsche motors actually go for more money than the new models.

Models such as the 912, 914, 924, 928, 944 and 968 hark of simpler times when driving was a pleasure and you rarely got involved in any traffic jams. There are many forums on the internet with lots of eager followers who are only too happy to share solutions to problems or help with any questions you may have. Owning a classic Porsche can be a joy but parts can be difficult to find so a little helping hand and a steer in the right direction can do wonders.

Prestige car hire companies often have new cars available for hire so whilst you are refurbishing your classic vehicle, you can take a drive in a new model and have a taste of the driving pleasure to come.

The Ferrari 458 Italia

Mon 3rd August 2009, by Tony

With all the speculation surrounding the new replacement for the Ferrari 430, it came as a surprise when Maranello finally revealed the 458 Italia. The car won’t be released officially until the Frankfurt motor show but the pics look fabulous.

The car is a mid-engined super car that is capable of reaching a top speed in excess of 202mph and travelling from 0-60mph in less than 3.4 seconds. The 4.5 litre V8 engine is the same model used in the California and with 562bhp (prancing brake horses that is) and a Pininfarina designed shape and all new electronic diff and traction control system, the car looks like being one of the best new Ferraris for years.

Rumours on the internet stated that the car may feature the Ferrari Kers (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) however Ferrari have denied this. The system has been a hot topic among Formula 1 fans with many believing that the system will be dropped completely before the end of the year.

Owning a Ferrari is every car owners dream, but if you can’t afford to purchase a new car you could always hire one for the day using a prestige car hire company.

Alonso denies Ferrari rumours

Fri 31st July 2009, by Tony

There seem to be many hotly debated topics in F1 at the moment. Most pertaining to what cars will be competing in the 2010 season and what rule changes (if any) will be implemented. With teams threatening to form a break away competition, one rumour that has been passed without much notice is the future of Renault driver Fernando Alonso.

Alonso is regarded by the people in the know as one of the best drivers currently in F1, but the Renault car is not living up to pre-season expectations and not providing him with the opportunity to showcase his skills. Rumours surfaced late last year of a possible future deal with Ferrari, something that Ferrari have always denied. And with the rumours failing to disperse, maybe there is an element of truth to the internet chatter.

The Ferrari team have struggled so far this season, but have picked up recently and may be challenging for wins before long. This is all good news for any future drivers, although the driver’s championship seems to have got away from them this year. So it comes as no surprise that Ferrari are planning for the future, and in Alonso they could once again get that winning formula. Expect the announcement at Monza in mid September.

Porsche already takes 3000 orders for Panamera

Wed 29th July 2009, by Tony

We wrote recently detailing the impending release of the new offering from Porsche – the Panamera. The car is a four door touring saloon that exudes class and luxury. There have been some undertones circulating on the internet however about Porsche straying from their classic two door design and whether the car will be a hit with the public.

Porsche have laughed in the face of all their doubters however with the news that they have already taken 3,000 advance orders for the vehicle. These are astounding facts, considering the current credit crisis and the supposedly slow sales of new cars. The news also comes along with the fact that 80% of new Panamera owners will be driving a Porsche for the first time; unless they have used a dream car hire company to drive one of Porsche’s other models. This is all great news for Porsche considering the development costs spent on the vehicle.

Porsche hopes to sell around 20,000 models in year one alone, and with the release date still a few months away most people won’t even get to view the vehicle before they buy. With the 911 still at the top of most car buyers shopping list, the Panamera has some way to go to reach this pinnacle of achievement, but if early indications are anything to go by Porsche seem to have got their strategy right.

Aston Lagonda concept is shelved

Mon 27th July 2009, by Tony

Aston Martin wowed the car world at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year when they unveiled the concept Lagonda SUV. The car was a futuristically styled four wheeled drive SUV that was supposed to be powered by a V12 500bhp monster engine. However, Aston has just released a statement saying that the development of the Lagonda has been put on hold - indefinitely.

The CEO of Aston, Ulrich Bez, has said that unfortunately, due to the current economic conditions the timing is not right. This is even though there are various investors who are keen to partially fund the project. With Aston still maintaining they are looking at new hybrid drive technologies, the news of the Lagonda being ‘shelved’ will come as a disappointment for many Aston fans who were waiting to get their hands on the production model.

If you were looking forward to driving the new Aston SUV, there is however no need to be disappointed. Aston’s current range features classics such as the DB9, DBS and V8 Vantage, cars that will literally take your breath away. If you are not lucky enough to consider buying such a car, you could always rent one from a prestige car hire company.

Second generation TT outperforms mark 1 classic

Wed 22nd July 2009, by Tony

Audi’s first instalment of the TT model made waves when it was first launched, and is still held in high regard.

But with the introduction of the second generation, Audi have built upon a classic and even more improvements.

While smoothing out some of those classic curves, they have created a beauty which appeals to all and sundry. The streamlining process has kept its classic styling which is recognisable in an instance.

Beneath the exterior body, vast changes have been made allowing the driver to experience a re-vamped manual six speed gear box, 2 litre super charged which churns out an impressive 268bhp.

Again, the four wheel drive puts the power down on each corner, thus making the car feel much grounded even at high speeds.

With further improvements made to steering, the exhaust performance and numerous other tweaks – the TTS is a must for any enthusiast to try via luxury car hire.

Once you’ve experienced the drive and appreciated the elegant styling both inside and out of the car, you’ll be left wanting more.

Bentley parts up for grabs

Fri 17th July 2009, by Tony

Do you need any spare parts for that Bentley sitting in your garage? If you have a Bentley, then you will most probably have your car serviced by a Bentley specialist and won’t do the servicing yourself. However, for all of you that are perhaps refurbishing a classic vehicle or looking to store a few parts for any future breakdowns, Bentley Motors is having the garage sale of a lifetime.

At its warehouse in Crewe, for two days on September the 26th and 27th Bentley will sell parts for their models built since 1955. The total number of parts on offer is in excess of 7 million and there will also be parts on offer for some Rolls-Royce lines (for cars manufactured at Crewe).

The reason behind the sale is Bentley’s redevelopment of their site to make way for their new model development programme which includes the new 2010 Arnage. There will also be experts on site to help you delve through the array of parts on offer and choose relevant parts for your car.

There will be many private and business buyers at the event all hoping to find a bargain, so make sure you get there early to avoid any disappointment.

Porsche Panamera

Tue 14th July 2009, by Tony

If you head to the showroom to buy a new Porsche, then most people would head straight to the 911. Undoubtedly everything that Porsche stands for is epitomised by their flagship vehicle. The car has seen many advances in technology over the years such as improvements like four wheel drive, but the car still stands firm to its roots of a stylish driving machine.

Many traditionalists will therefore baulk at the new offering from Porsche, the ‘Panamera’. Designed to compete against saloon rivals from Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Jaguar the car is a (radical for Porsche) four door, four seat saloon. The car is initially available in three models the Panamera S, Panamera 4S and the Panamera Turbo.

The Turbo version uses a V8 4.8 litre twin turbo engine that produces an amazing 500bhp, and with a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 188mph the car is a blisteringly fast motor vehicle. Porsche are hoping to tap into a previously unexplored market with the new car and they seem to have done it with effortless style. The car exudes class and should be at the top of any prospective luxury car buyers shopping list.

If you can’t decide whether the Porsche is the car for you, then a good option is to use a luxury car hire company to rent a prestige vehicle for a day to try the car against some of its competitors.

New Ferrari F450

Mon 13th July 2009, by Tony

A new Ferrari always causes much anticipation in the motoring world. And with the new Ferrari California convertible hitting our shores our appetites are whetted further by the impending release of the F450.

The F450 is the expected replacement for the F430 but will it be worth the wait? With only a few spy shots currently circulating on the internet and Ferrari keeping the full specification close to their chests, speculation is rife. However expect to see a 4.5 litre (hence F450) V8 engine that can produce around 500bhp and a completely new body design with sweeping air-vents.

If the rumours are right, the car will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September with potential orders being delivered at the earliest towards the end of the year or more likely early next year.

The big question is whether the car will feature the heavily debated KERS system that has featured on their F1 cars this year. Whilst not always a success, and with the debate still ongoing, it remains to be seem whether Ferrari or indeed any of the other teams will use the system on 2010 cars and if the system will be efficient on the road cars.

Whatever the outcome, the new F450 promises to be a brilliant driving machine.

New V12 engine for Aston Martin

Fri 10th July 2009, by Tony

Aston Martin have wowed onlookers over recent months with the release of their new V12 Vantage coupé at the Geneva Motor Show and the future release of the much anticipated Rapide model. Even if you are a little bemused by the new concept ‘Cygnet model’ or baulk at the price tags of some of the top of the range models, there is no denying that Aston are currently at the top of their game.

Continuing their impressive development, it now looks like Aston are going to be using new engines in their DB9 and Rapide models in the future. Aston currently use a 6.0 litre V12 Duratec engine in their top of the range models which is a throw back to when the company used to be owned by Ford.

The new engine is expected to be sourced from Mercedes and will still be a V12 unit. The expected change over date by Aston is not expected till 2012 so the earlier Rapide models may still have the Duratec unit. We will have to wait and see if Aston stall the Rapide’s launch to showcase the new engine in a completely new car, whatever they decide the car promises to be spectacular.

Used prestige vehicle prices see an upturn

Wed 8th July 2009, by Tony

With the car industry still seemingly in the doldrums, it comes as a welcome relief that prestige used car values have started to take an upturn in the last few months. The guide prices for used prestige cars are now being surpassed by actual purchase prices and things are looking a lot better.

Demand for prestige vehicles is actually growing (according to auction-house BCA), which is great news for prospective purchasers of new models as they will not take such a hit at resale or trade-in. This is also good for the car manufacturers who are still trying to break through the other side of the current recession.

It is a sad fact that nearly all cars depreciate in value. But one area of the car market that used to do well in regards to this was the prestige market, where in fact some buyers are prepared to pay more than the actual manufacturers suggested retail price to get their hands on rare or high demand vehicles.

If you are worried about buying a new car due to the current financial climate, a great way to test drive a prestige motor vehicle is to use a luxury car hire company to rent a vehicle for a number of days so you can get the feel for the vehicle and see if it meets all your expectations before you buy.

Aston Martin ‘Cygnet’

Tue 7th July 2009, by Tony

The term ‘supercar’ is synonymous with car manufacturers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. If you were to go out on a spending spree you wouldn’t get much change back from the odd one hundred thousand pounds or two.

But what happens if you live in the city and don’t want to drive your prized possession around town everyday just to get the shopping. Most people would choose a run of the mill family saloon. Whilst this may be a good idea for practical reasons, the badge on the car would not represent the same things that your prestige motor waiting at home in the garage stands for – luxury, passion and true super car status.

Well worry not, Aston Martin are about to release the baby brother of their range of motor vehicles. The ‘Cygnet’ is Aston’s £20,000 rival to the Smart Car and the new Toyota iQ. It’s an economical run-around with the badge every car owner wants on their car. If you have seen the press release pics you might be thinking it looks quite similar to the iQ and you would be right. Aston have an equipment manufacturing deal with Toyota and the car will be based on the iQ concept.

Would you want to hire a baby Aston? The answer of course depends on your situation, but for getting around town in style the car is a great option.

Have you wondered what driving a dream car is really like?

Fri 3rd July 2009, by Tony

Have you every dreamed about driving a true supercar? This might be an Aston Martin, a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Whatever dream you have, there is a way it could come true.

If you need car hire for a holiday or need to rent a car for a business trip, most car hire companies usually rent you a run of the mill family saloon. This does not however have to be the case, some specialised car rental companies rent luxury or prestige models like Porsche, Bentley or Aston Martin. These types of cars are usually only owned or driven be people who are either affluent or famous and most people can only admire their beauty as they drive past.

Companies that rent dream cars sometimes have special ‘experience’ days where you get a chance to drive multiple dream vehicles. By hiring a car from a luxury car hire company you can really get your hands on a truly amazing machine. If you hire an Aston Martin DB9 for the weekend you will not only be the envy of all your friends, you will also be the envy of most other road users.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Wed 1st July 2009, by Tony

Hot on the heels of the Aston Martin V12 vantage coupé, Aston are continuing their development of the Roadster version. It has been spotted recently undergoing rigorous tests at the world famous Nürburgring circuit.

The soft top version will stay close to the roots of its big brother, but will feature a three layer fabric roof as well as slight modifications to the front spoiler. No firm specifications have been released by Aston yet but you can expect the same 6.0 litre V12 engine as the coupé. The engine produces 510bhp and the coupés 0-60 time is 4.2 seconds, but with the added weight because of stiffened suspension the roadster will be possibly a fraction slower.

The V12 roadster is likely to be limited to a production run of only 500 vehicles so you may need to get your name on the waiting list quickly. Rumours state that the car will make its debut at September’s Frankfurt motor show but we will have to wait till Aston’s press release to find out.

If you can’t wait to test drive the roadster version then why not try the coupé. You can rent dream cars like these from luxury car hire companies, where you can rent the vehicle for a day, a weekend or even longer.

Audi R8

Tue 30th June 2009, by Tony

The Audi R8 manages to turn heads wherever it is driven. The cars beautiful exterior stands out from other sports models with wide air intakes and a retractable rear spoiler. The engines on offer include a 4.2 V8 and a 5.2 V10 and with quattro all wheel drive the car is a pleasure to drive.

Inspired by the Le Mans winning racer, the car is more like a track racing car than an everyday road car. The car comes with a 6 speed manual or R tronic gearbox and with a launch control feature that propels the V10 car from 0-62 mph in an astonishing 3.9 seconds. The rear spoiler is operated when the car reaches a certain speed or if you want to show off a button on the centre console will do the job for you.

The R8 4.2 R tronic comes in at just under £85,000 and the R8 V10 R tronic at just under £105,000. If you need a little time to save before you add your name to the waiting list, you could rent a vehicle like this for a few days from a luxury car hire company.

Bugatti Veyron Vs Mclaren f1

Mon 29th June 2009, by Tony

If you have ever dreamt about driving one of the fastest or most prestigious cars in the world then watching BBC 2 programme ‘Top Gear’ on Sunday the 28th of June will only have whetted your appetitive further.

The show aired a drag race between arguably two of the most sought after ultimate driving machines the world has ever seen, the Mclaren f1 and the Bugatti Veyron. Both cars have different amazing attributes but who would win on the track?

The Veyron has a muscular 1001 Hp and the Mclaren 627 Hp, but the Mclaren weighs 1,500 lbs less. Presenter Richard Hammond drove the Veyron and the programmes masked racing driver ‘The Stig’ drove the Mclaren.

Although a close run thing and with internet speculation stating that the race was a tad closer than it should have been, the more technologically advanced Veyron took the crown. Not too surprising since the car is somewhat newer than its counterpart.

Driving supercars like these is out of most peoples reach. However there are companies that specialise in luxury car hire, and with a selection of vehicles on offer like Ferraris, Aston Martins and Lamborghinis there is a possibility that your dreams could become a reality.

Lamborghini Murciélago LP640

Fri 26th June 2009, by Tony

The Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 is a £190,000 dream driving machine. With a body shape first seen in 2001 the car has always wowed onlookers who get a rare glimpse. As can be seen by the name, the car produces 640bhp from its longitudinal posteriore (LP) V12 engine, and with a top speed of 210mph and a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds you won’t get much time to view the car in your rear view mirror.

The new version of the car has gone through lots of changes, including a completely reworked engine, suspension and braking system. The wheels are also different and with changes to the rear lights, panel vents and the whole interior clad in Alcantara ® the car exudes class.

This is not a car for the faint of heart, and from the moment you start the engine the deep growl from the exhaust gives a hint at the excitement to come. Some top of the range prestige car hire companies let you rent beautiful vehicles like this, so you can have the opportunity to drive one of the most beautiful vehicles to currently grace our roads.

Range Rover Sport 2.7 TDV6

Thu 25th June 2009, by Tony

If you want a car that has fantastic off road capabilities as well as looking and handling great around town then you should look no further than the Range Rover Sport. The 2.7 TDV6 version is the pick of the bunch, with a Jaguar built V6 engine that effortlessly propels the vehicle through any situation.

Offering an understated feel, the car comes with a choice of three engines, 4.2 litre and 4.4 litre V8 petrol’s, and the aforementioned V6 diesel. The car ranges in price between £38,000 and £63,000 and with a plethora of options on offer you won’t be disappointed. With excellent visibility and manoeuvrability around town and the car feeling just at home on country roads it will appeal to many people. If you are thinking of using it off road, it comes with the ‘Terrain Response’ system first seen in the Discovery 3. This means that whatever situation you may face the Range Rover should cope.

This car is one amazing all-round driving machine and has to be driven to be believed. With luxury car hire companies offering many alternative driving packages regarding the use of this car, why not rent one for a weekend to see what all the fuss is about?

Bentley Continental GT 2+2 Convertible

Thu 25th June 2009, by Tony

The Bentley continental 2+2 is a luxury driving machine. With amazing performance combined with the luxury of open-air motoring the car is the personification of style and elegance.

The car looks every bit as beautiful with the roof up or down and when stored there is still easily enough room for an adequate amount of luggage in the boot. The car has a top speed of 190 mph (with the roof down) and under the bonnet is a 6.0 litre W12 twin-turbo engine that produces 552bhp and propels the car from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. It holds the road effortlessly due to its continuous all wheel drive configuration and with bucket loads of torque on offer there is an immediate response as soon as the accelerator is pressed.

Premium grade European leather hide is on offer in the cabin in several different colours, and with a hand stitched steering wheel and hand crafted wood veneer surfaces the driver is presented with luxury and elegance at every turn.

The car may be out of the reach of the everyday driver but you can contact specialist luxury car hire companies who can rent you a vehicle like this for any type of occasion that you may have in mind.

Audi TTS coupé and roadster

Wed 24th June 2009, by Tony

Audi TT fans have had to wait a long time before Audi finally decided to produce an ‘S’ version of their iconic model. In fact nine years have gone by since its introduction in 2000. So is the new car worth the wait?

Audi have decided to stick with the 2.0 litre four cylinder engine that they use in the standard model but there are a few tweaks. The new car features a larger turbo and a new intercooler system so the standard 250bhp is pushed to 265bhp. The car has a 6 speed S-tronic paddle shift automatic gearbox and the all wheel drive Quattro system has been modified on the TTS to produce a faster response time and hence quicker acceleration.

The coupé version can accelerate from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds and with the newly styled body and 18 inch alloy wheels the car is the fastest Audi TT to grace our roads.

The car is available in coupé and roadster versions and is a true ‘drivers’ car. Luxury car hire companies can rent you prestige vehicles like this so that you can experience the thrills of an amazing driving machine.

The Aston Martin Project 212

Mon 22nd June 2009, by Tony

The Silverstone Classic race event will this year feature one of the most iconic cars ever to be built. The Project 212 was built in 1962 by Aston Racing and its debut was impressive. In the hands of BRM racing’s Graham Hill the car led the opening lap at Le Mans. The car had to retire due to piston failure but managed to turn a few heads in the process.

The car was based on a DB4 GT and had a 4 litre engine. It has been well maintained throughout its racing life and features occasionally at various events around the world. It will feature in the Classic’s pre-63 GT race category with other vehicles that still have the same specification as when they were released.

Aston has long featured in prestigious race events and after competing in the 2008 Le Mans 24 hour race with a Lola Coupé are set to enter three Lola-Aston Martins in the 2009 race which is scheduled for the 13th and 14th of June.

Aston Martin is synonymous with luxury and prestige. If you cannot afford to own an Aston Martin an option is to rent one for a day or longer. A prestige car hire company has vehicles like these so you can see what it is like to drive a dream car.

The Audi Q7 V12 diesel

Thu 18th June 2009, by Tony

The Audi Q7 has been around for quite some time but has always lacked a certain something. Well now Audi have obliged, and they have done it in style. The new Q7 V12 diesel is not just a car it’s an unbelievable driving machine.

The TDi quattro is the most powerful diesel engine in its class. The car can travel from 0-62 in 5.5 seconds and the 6.0 litre engine produces 1,000 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 3,000 rpm and produces an amazing 500bhp.

The engine bears a close similarity to the Audi R10 TDI engine that powered its way to the overall Le Mans title recently. The car comes with Audi’s daytime running lights, 20-inch 10 spoke alloy wheels and Audi’s advanced parking system that features a rear view camera. Interior features include a ‘Bang and Olufsen’ 14 speaker sound system, MMI navigation system and Verano leather sports seats.

Make no mistake this car is not your everyday SUV, it is more akin to a sports car. You can hire vehicles like this from a prestige car hire company who will take care of all your needs, from vehicle insurance to a driver briefing.

Aston Martin to showcase new models at Motorexpo

Mon 18th May 2009, by Tony

There were many fantastic cars on display at the Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of March but we have had to wait in the UK to get a first look at some of the more exciting new models. Aston Martin is one such manufacturer who showcased their new V12 Vantage and DBS Volante models in Switzerland but they are yet to set foot on our shores.

Motorexpo 2009 London will take place at Canary Wharf from the 8th of June until the 14th and will feature UK model debuts from many manufacturers including Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and of course Aston who will premiere their aforementioned models. The motor show expects visitor numbers to be well in excess of 300,000 people and it is a brilliant urban setting to hold a show of this nature. The event is free to visit and with many of the world’s top supercars on display, it promises to be better than ever.

The show promises to be a great visitor attraction and with so many great cars to see, it is definitely worth a visit. If however you have dreams of not only viewing some of the world’s most prestigious vehicles but would like the opportunity to drive them as well, there are many dream car hire companies that give you the chance to do just that.

Jaguar XK and XKR coupé and convertible

Wed 13th May 2009, by Tony

Jaguar’s new XK and XKR models have taken the marque to new heights of sophistication and luxury, with both models available in coupé or convertible format and an all new 5.0 litre V8 engine replacing the much loved 4.2 litre version.

With the XKR engine producing 503 bhp and 461 lb/ft of torque, the car has fantastic acceleration and amazing performance. The transmission is through a 6-speed automatic gearbox that effortlessly transfers the power to the rear wheels, so the car can go from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The car features all the luxury enhancements you would expect to find on this type of vehicle, including, as standard, 20-inch alloys, bi-xenon headlamps, keyless entry system and a beautifully redesigned interior.

The new XK range starts at just under £60,000 and the convertible models add about £6,000 to the starting price. This may seem a little steep, but with the engine upgrade meaning the car now has more power than a 911 turbo, many Porsche and Ferrari owners will have to look closely in their rear view mirrors.

You can rent prestigious vehicles like these from luxury car hire rental companies who let you use the vehicle for a day or even longer so you can live the dream of driving a true super car.

Ferrari 599 HGTE

Thu 7th May 2009, by Tony

Owning a prestigious car such as a Ferrari can be an amazing feeling. The design, style and elegance of these vehicles is rarely matched. With the current recession causing many problems for lesser car manufacturers, Ferrari has gone against the grain and just released a new version of its 599 model.

The 599 HGTE handling package adds about £14,000 to the cost of the standard vehicle and whilst there is no engine upgrade, the car is lowered by one centimetre and the handling system is re-mapped to increase grip and reduce roll. It features new wheels and is restyled inside to include carbon trim and a new rev counter. There are lots of other little tweaks including a different exhaust note and a gear change speed reduction. The £14,000 additional price tag may sound a lot considering the car’s standard price is already £207,000 but the better handling and ride make the spend worthwhile.

By using a luxury car hire company you can rent beautiful vehicles like the 599 to impress your friends, for a birthday gift, or to collect an important client for a business meeting. The cars can be rented for just one day or even longer and most companies provide insurance and a driver briefing before you drive away.

Nissan GT-R wins world performance car of the year

Tue 28th April 2009, by Tony

The current hot topic in the motoring world is the announcement of the World Performance Car of The Year. This year the accolade has fallen to the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan for their amazing Nissan GT-R. The latest version of the GT-R is the R-35 which beat off stiff competition from twenty three other supercars including Aston Martin and Porsche to win the title.

The GT-R has a twin turbo V6 3.8 litre engine that produces 485bhp and has a max speed of 194mph. The 0-60 time is just 3.5 seconds and the car produces an amazing 588 Nm of torque and features 4 wheel drive and a 6 speed manual gearbox.

If you put your name on the waiting list for a new GT-R you will have a long wait. Most UK customers have to wait for around a year to get their hands on this prestigious motor vehicle. However the first UK customers started to receive their new cars last month so if you are lucky you might see one on the UK roads. The car is amazing to drive and is much sought after by collectors and motorsport enthusiasts worldwide.

If you would like to drive this performance supercar, one or two supercar hire companies have got their hands on the first models to arrive on our shores. With a price tag of over £55,000 and a waiting list longer than a year, this may be the only opportunity you get to drive this dream car.

Aston Martin to make move into Formula 1

Fri 24th April 2009, by Tony

It has been reported that prestigious supercar manufacturer Aston Martin is considering entry into Formula 1 in 2010. Next season sees new laws come into force that restrict the budget teams can spend. Other teams have also expressed an interest in returning including former F1 competitor Lola.

New F1 laws state teams can either keep to a £30 million pound budget and get greater design freedom or can continue to spend what they wish within the usual technical restrictions.

Aston Martin chairman David Richards hopes to bring a new 150-strong team to the sport but has yet to say if the team will have the Aston Martin name associated with the car. The move is an audacious one, but the marque of distinction has seen rapidly growing success in the last few years following the release of its latest stunning models including the DB9 and DBS and its association with the new James Bond movies.

Aston Martin cars provide the ultimate driving experience. The luxury, power and comfort they offer are difficult to match. If you can’t afford to own an Aston, you can however drive one using a dream car hire company. These companies give people the chance to rent a prestigious vehicle so they too can have the chance to drive the car of their dreams.

McLaren P11

Tue 21st April 2009, by Tony

Ex McLaren F1 team manager, Ron Dennis, has a new challenge in the form of being McLaren Automotive project manager. McLaren Automotive hope to produce super cars for everyday use to challenge the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.

Their first project, named the P11, is a top-of-the-range two-seater that is beautifully styled and features high level exhausts and the much talked about Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) seen on Formula 1 cars. Dennis has big plans for the company and hopes to eventually produce a number of models starting at the £100K mark. The target is to produce about 1,000 cars up to 2011 and if a success, rise to 4,000 cars a few years later.

The car is still in its early stages of development but there are hopes a production model will be available for its target release date some time in 2011.

You may have to wait for some time to get a chance to drive the P11. However there are supercar hire companies that offer you the chance to drive a performance motor vehicle like a Ferrari or an Aston Martin. These luxury vehicles can be hired for one day or over the weekend so you can impress your friends or just enjoy driving a car some people only dream about.

GTA Motor announces new supercar

Wed 15th April 2009, by Tony

Everyone knows the names of some of the most prestigious supercars around the world today. The names Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Aston Martin are synonymous with prestige and luxury. There are also a few understated supercar manufacturers that hand build their cars like Pagani Zonda and Koenigsegg. These cars can be even more sought after than their more illustrious counterparts due to their exclusivity.

Another small company trying to grab a share of the market are a Spanish company called GTA Motor. Their new supercar will be released to the general public on the 29th of April when prices will be announced. However it has been hinted that prospective purchasers will not get much change from £550,000.

The car has a V10 engine taken from the Dodge Viper that has been tweaked to achieve 780bhp and with a 0 to 60 time of under three seconds and a top speed of 211mph the car promises to be no slouch. Buyers may baulk at the price tag at such a new concept, but the company behind the project has a long racing pedigree and a bespoke manufacturing facility, preparing cars for racing and now for customers.

The car has yet to be named and there will only be 99 produced, so now is the time to put your name on the waiting list.

If however you can’t wait to drive a supercar like the GTA Motor, you can use a supercar hire company who will give you the opportunity to drive one of the world’s most desired motor vehicles. You can rent a car for just a day or even longer, to impress your friends or for a birthday surprise, the choice is yours.

Ronaldo to buy new Koenigsegg super car

Thu 9th April 2009, by Tony

Cristiano Ronaldo has apparently forked out £500,000 on a new supercar he spotted at a car show last year. The 24-year-old Manchester United footballer is said to be on the list for a new Koenigsegg CCX.

The Koenigsegg will replace Ronaldo\'s Ferrari 559 GTB Fiorano, which was written off after a crash near Manchester Airport earlier this year. However, Ronaldo may have to wait almost a year to take delivery of the Swedish motor because the car is hand-built to order. Koenigsegg manufactures super sports cars for only a select group of enthusiasts.

The Koenigsegg CCX is an aerodynamic supercar made from lightweight carbon fibre composite that can go from 0 to 62 in 3.2 seconds and reach speeds of more than 245mph.

For most of us, cars such as this Koenigsegg CCX will always be out of our reach and we can only dream of owning one. There may be one way you could realise this dream however and that would be to consider supercar hire. This way you could drive a Maserati Gran Turismo or a Ferrari 430 and remember the experience for the rest of your life. Hiring one of the world’s finest supercars is cheaper than you may think and provides excellent value for money for any special occasion.