The Aston Martin Vantage has always been a great looking car and with the N340 certainly doesn’t disappoint with head turning looks and increased performance and power.

The N430 has been fitted with sharper suspension compared to the standard V8 as well as a little more horsepower; 430bhp to be precise.

It also comes in a broader selection of colours, including shades apeing its racing siblings, has unique dark-finished alloy wheels and lightweight buckets seats all as standard.

The N430 sits a little lower to the ground and the dark alloy wheels are a pleasing touch. The contrasting yellow nose and roof details might not be to all tastes but they are optional

Where some of its rivals might seem like obvious choices, it’s hard to knock the Aston Martin image as it mixes Britishness, Bond and motorsport to great effect.

Space and practicality

It’s clearly a sports car at heart so you’ll only be sharing the pleasure of the N430 with one other lucky person. Space for you and your passenger is reasonable but not exceptional; the roof is low and the transmission tunnel is relatively wide. However the standard carbonfibre bucket seats are very supportive.

The boot is big enough for a fun weekend away or a reasonable shopping trip – and there’s an Aston Martin umbrella in there too of course – but don’t waste your time shopping when you could be out driving it.

Behind the wheel

Some of the N430’s key rivals are significantly younger, but rather than leaving the Aston feeling dated it instead makes you realise that progress isn’t always a good thing. For starters it has a very mechanical feel; the steering is relatively heavy, the gearbox needs a firm hand and the pedal actions are all weighty. That means precision is required, making the experience all the more rewarding.

That lusty 4.7-litre V8 sings a glorious tune and although there is plenty of torque it thrives on revs, building to a crescendo as you reach the red line. The suspension is unquestionable firm, but the way it tracks the undulations of the road and is balanced through the bends makes it worthwhile. It’s a car to make you travel hundreds of miles just to try it on the right kind of road.

Value for money

At a fraction under £90,000 the N430 is far from cheap, but the standard specification is generous and you’ll want for very little indeed. Also comparable cars from Germany are more expensive right from the off, even before you delve into the realms of long option lists.

Source – https://uk.cars.yahoo.com/news/drive-aston-martin-v8-vantage-n430-190500221.html

If you think that Ferrari could not be more exclusive then think again because they have just launched a new car that is aimed at only the super rich.

Only 6 have been made and to get one you have to be personally invited by Ferrari. Not surprisingly Ferrari have already spoken to their chosen few and all six have been snapped up.

The super car known as the Ferrari Sergio,is a concept car was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

It was designed in collaboration with Italian firm Pininfarina, and each model is expected to sell for millions, though Ferrari would not disclose an exact price.

Ferrari, which is owned by Fiat (FIADF), has built a world-class name for itself based on its reputation for exclusivity.

It capped production at 7,000 cars per year to ensure demand consistently outstrips supply, making its cars all the more desirable.

However, after a recent management shake-up, the company said it will ramp up production by 5% this year to ensure its waiting list doesn’t get out of control.

While vehicle output may be increasing, limited production cars like the Sergio help Ferrari keep its exclusive edge.

The automaker also offers a “one-off” program where rich car collectors can buy a completely original car that they help design themselves. Each car costs millions.

It’s as far removed from mass production as you can get,” said a Ferrari spokesperson.

Ferrari has only created about a dozen of these bespoke cars since the “one-off” program launched a few years ago, but it said the program is gaining traction, which could be helping the company’s bottom line.

Ferrari reported record revenue in the first six months of this year, up nearly 15% compared to the same period in the previous year, even as it sold fewer cars. Profits for the period also rose by 10%.

Source – http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/27/luxury/ferrari-car-sergio/index.html

The new owners of the Sergio can expect delivery in early 2015

There are just some Super Cars that you can’t take your eyes off and this is why some of the super rich are deciding to install a glass garage in their homes where you can stare longingly at your baby from the comfort of your sofa.

In Knightsbridge a house has gone on sale for £16.5m which, alongside the swimming pool, spa, bespoke wine cellar and media room that are now a given at the top of the property market, features a glass wall in the study offering a view of the garage.

James Forbes, partner at Strutt & Parker in Knightsbridge, the estate agent selling the four-bedroom Park Lodge, says he has seen a number of properties refurbished to include high-end garages. “People who are buying these properties often like cars and want to look after those cars and keep them off the street,” he says. As a result, developers have been fitting “leather dado-rails, heating and lights to guide you in”.

Clearly the developers didn’t picture this particular garage as somewhere to store a clapped-out chest freezer and some old wellies; they were probably imagining a Bugatti Veyron or a vintage E-type. However, Forbes says they have thought of everything: “What they’ve cleverly done here, something I’ve not seen before, is make it so the glass can be opaque if you need it to be. If you’ve got your grubbly old mountain bike in there after a trip round the park you don’t have to look at it.”

If, however, your Porsche is parked in there, a flick of a switch makes it visible beneath the bookshelf.

Tracy Kellett, a buying agent for wealthy clients in London, says fancy garages “are certainly a selling point for the high-net worths … if you’ve spent millions (not uncommon) on cars, you want to be able to show them off to friends in a suitable showcase”.

She adds that she’s seen heated and white-floored garages designed for those who want to display their collection. Meanwhile, Joe Burns, of super-prime property developer Oliver Burns, says one home he developed included a glass showcase for a car, another a display for motorbikes.

Forbes says that in these prime London properties “parking doesn’t necessarily add a lot of money but it is a very desirable feature”. And, strangely, it seems that it can be more desirable the closer it is to the living room.

Source – http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/oct/24/park-supercar-luxury-home-livingroom

Well it’s better that watching most of the rubbish on the TV these days.

This month has seen the annual Paris motor show were all the major car brands showcase their latest offerings. There are many different categories to look at but here at HPI Luxury Car Hire we are only interested in the best luxury and Supercars models.

Here are 5 new ones that are getting us excited

Ferrari 458 Speciale A
Ferrari chose to premiere this new supercar in Paris. Powered by a 605hp V8, the Ferrari 485 Speciale A will be produced in a limited series of 499 units. The most powerful convertible ever produced by the Italian manufacturer, the model rockets from 0 to 100km/h in just 3 seconds.

Lamborghini Asterion
For its part, Lamborghini revealed the Asterion LPI 910-4 concept, a sports car with a total output of 910hp from its 5.2-liter V10 engine teamed with three electric motors. The combination enables a top speed of 320km/h and 0 to 100km/h acceleration in 3 seconds.

Maserati Alfieri
The third Italian car in this selection, the Maserati Alfieri concept is a tribute to the founder of the brand, which is celebrating its centenary in 2014. Designed as a study for a future coupe, the Alfieri is more aggressive and compact than the current GranTurismo and packs a 4.7-liter V8 engine with 460hp.

Bentley Mulsanne Speed
The latest model from the British car maker is presented as the world’s most powerful luxury car, boasting a 6.75-liter V8 with 537hp. Slated to go on sale in early 2015, the car boasts a top speed of 305km/h and goes from 0 to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Mercedes-AMG GT
Presented in person by Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche in Paris, the new Mercedes-AMG GT is due to go on sale in spring 2015. Under the hood, the sports car has a new 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 engine with 462hp, enabling 0 to 100km/h acceleration in 4 seconds and a top speed of 304km/h

Source http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/paris-motor-show-5-must-see-sports-cars-1.2044731#ixzz3FeqOIklR

All of them look fantastic and I am sure will be sold out as soon as they become available.

The 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT is an all-new model, but comparisons between it and the outgoing SLS AMG GT will undoubtedly be made.

First impressions are that this is one good looking car and with an eight-cylinder engine that sports two turbos  it is sure to provide a fun and exciting drive.

Here is video showing the new AMG – GT doing some winter teesting

Like other recently launched AMG models, the Mercedes-AMG GT will be offered in a base and an S model. Both are powered by an all-new 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that makes 456 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque in the base GT and 503 hp and 479 lb-ft in the GT S. This engine, which was developed specifically for the GT and is also referred to as the M178, showcases a special turbo setup dubbed “hot inside V.” Here, the two turbochargers sit within the engine’s V configuration, as opposed to the typical layout, in which the turbos are placed outside of the cylinder banks.

This setup gives the M178 its compact dimensions. Coupling that with the M178’s dry sump lubrication system allowed engineers to mount the engine low in the bay, improving the GT’s center of gravity.

Those turbos also give the M178 a fat torque curve. For starters, max torque in the GT arrives at just 1600 rpm and 1750 rpm for the GT S (peak horsepower is around 6000 rpm for both). For comparison, the M159, 6.2-liter, naturally aspirated V-8 (583 hp and 479 lb-ft) that powered the SLS AMG GT spun at 4750 and 6800 rpm to reach max torque and horsepower, respectively.

We’ve praised the M159 for its linear power delivery, and AMG is promising the same from the M178. Like the SLS, the Mercedes-AMG GT is fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in a rear transaxle setup. Mercedes says the GT’s gearbox is improved with a larger gear ratio spread and quicker shift times.

That said, the Mercedes-AMG GT is estimated to run from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, with the GT S a few ticks quicker at 3.7 seconds. Top speed for the GT and GT S is 189 and 193 mph, respectively. AMG’s new sports car will be the first model to be offered with the AMG Dynamic Plus package.

This package, which is exclusive to the GT S, consists of variable engine and transmission mounts. The system essentially softens the mounts during relaxed driving and stiffens them when it comes time to tear through canyons or the track. The AMG Dynamic Plus package also includes a stiffer suspension setup, more negative camber at the front axle, and revised steering. Out back, the GT S features an electronically controlled rear-axle locking differential, while the GT is fitted with a mechanical locking diff.

Another item found exclusively on the Mercedes-AMG GT S is an AMG performance exhaust system with variable exhaust vanes. The GT S sounds relatively good based on the teaser videos Mercedes released earlier this year, though we’re eager to hear it in person to see how it compares to the SLS AMG GT’s excellent exhaust note. When it comes to stopping power, the GT is fitted with ventilated and perforated 14.2-inch discs all around, while the GT S gets upgraded with 15.4-inch discs up front. Both models can be optioned with a performance-oriented ceramic compound brake system, with 14.2-inch discs at the rear and 15.8-inchers in front. The GT features 19-inch alloy rims as standard, while the GT S gets a staggered setup with 19-inchers up front and 20-inch wheels at the rear. Lightweight forged wheels are available for both models.

Speaking of lightweight, the Mercedes-AMG GT is expected to be lighter than the SLS AMG GT thanks to its smaller dimensions and aluminum construction. (AMG will release those specs at a later date.) The automaker says 90 percent of the GT’s frame consists of aluminum, contributing to the bodyshell’s weight of just 509 pounds. Stylewise, the Mercedes-AMG GT is a refined evolution of the SLS. For starters, the long hood has carried over to the GT, but its front fascia still manages to look both menacing and more cohesive thanks to the lower air dams and headlight units (housing a standard LED system) that are sculpted around the wide grille. The switch from gullwing to standard doors provides space for a rear-quarter window and gives the GT a more elegant-looking roofline. Out back, the simple, slim taillights wrap around the large haunches and help emphasize the GT’s wide stance.

Source: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1409_2016_mercedes_amg_gt_first_look/#ixzz3CurdkXNn

If you are excited by this amazing car you will have to wait until the spring of 2015 when the Mercedes-AMG GT S starts arriving in showrooms. The AMG GT, however, won’t arrive until the following year.

Pricing details are not available yet but if it is anything like the SLS expect a price of around the $200,000 mark.

If you love your supercars as we do here at hpiluxurycarhire.com then I am sure you are often wondering what are most powerful and quickest cars allowed on the road at the moment.

So we did a little research and compiled this top fastest cars list as of 2014. All these cars are amazing machines but of course cost an absolute fortune and are extremely hard to buy even if you do have the money because so few are actually produced. This is why we believe you should save your cash and just enjoy the experience of being behind the wheel of  high performance motor by giving us a call to rent a supercar from our range cars available in destinations across Europe.

Top Fastest Cars List

1- Hennessey Venom GT: The Hennessey Venom is an American sports car manufactured by Hennessey performance engineering. It is the fastest production car on the planet with a top speed of 426 kmph and holds the Guinness world records. The Venom GT gives 0 to 60 mph in mind blowing 2.7 seconds and 0 to 180 in 13.88 seconds. It has a 7.0 litre engine generating a horsepower of 1244 to its rear wheels.

2- LaFerrari With a 6.3 Litre V12 engine motor under its hood and an electric motor attached to it, the La Ferrari is a hybrid sports car from Ferrari that is one of the fastest production cars in the world. It has a top speed of 350 km/h and does 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds and Ferrari has claimed to complete the Fiorano Test Circuit within 1 minute and 20 seconds, which is the fastest time lap done compared to any of the street legal car Ferrari has produced. Designed by Flavio Manzoni, the car comes with a 7-speed dual clutch automated manual gearbox mated to the 789 PS engine getting a boost of 161 bhp from its electric motor.

3- McLaren P1 The Mclaren P1 is a plug-in hybrid sports car with a massive 3.8 litre twin turbo charged engine, which boasts about 727 BHP of power with an electric motor producing close to 176 BHP. The car comes with F1 inspired features like the Instant power assist system and drag reduction system, which can be operated with the Buttons on the steering wheel. The P1 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds. Where the 375 units made were sold out by November 2013 a limited edition car.

4-Porsche 918 spider

The Porsche 918 spider is a mid engine plug-in hybrid sports car that comes with a 4.6 litre V8 engine developing around 608 BHP of power on the engine and two electric motors delivering a horse power of 279 BHP coupled with a 7-speed gear box with Porsche’s own dual clutch system. This is the second plug-in hybrid car from Porsche and the company plans to make only 918 units of it. The car has a top speed of 345 Km/h and the car does 0 to 100 km/h in like 2.6 seconds. Michael Mauer designs the car and it is the successor of the Porsche Carrera GT.

5- Zento ST1: The Zento ST 1 is a high performance sports car manufactured by the Danish company Zenvo. The car comes with a 7 litre v8 engine generating power of 1,250 hp and 1430 Nm of torque.

6- SSC Ultimate Aero: The SSC Ultimate Aero is an American Mid engines sports car that was the fastest much before the Hennessey and Buggati ruled the top positions.The car has a breathtaking top speed of 257 mph and does 0 to 60 in just 2.78 seconds. The Ultimate aero comes with a SSC Designed Billet Aluminum V8 Block engine with a horsepower of 1287 bhp and body of the car is made of carbon fiber.

7- 9ff GT9-R: The German tuning company 9ff builds the car, Porsche 9ff GT9-R. The GT9-R has a 4.0 litre engine producing up to 1120 of power and has a top speed of 414 kmph. The car does 0 to 100 kmph in just 2.9 seconds and there were limited number of the GT9-R’s produced with only 20 of them having the most powerful engine.

8. Koenigsegg Agera R: The Swedish Koenigsegg Agera R has a 5.0 litre engine with a maximum power output of 1115 PS and 1000 Nm of torque. The car comes third on the list with acceleration times of 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 420 kmph. The car is a mid-engine sports car and is a rear wheel drive.

Source – http://www.siliconindia.com/news/life/The-Worlds-8-Fastest-Sports-Cars-nid-171110-cid-51.html

If you want to drive a fast car then check out our range here