Renault has gifted a specially modified Dacia Duster to the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. The budget SUV has been adapted to suit papal needs by Dacia’s Prototype department and Special Needs Team, in partnership with Romanian coachbuilder Romturingia. The new Popemobile offers the same five-seat layout as the standard Duster but has a “particularly comfortable” rear bench added to suit lengthy public parades. Also featured are a large sunroof, roof-mounted grab handles and, as is customary with Popemobiles from all marques, a removable transparent display box to allow crowds a better look at His Holiness. The Duster is finished in white with a leather interior, and its suspension has been lowered by 30mm to allow for easier ingress and egress. It was delivered to The Vatican by Christophe Dridi, managing director of Groupe Renault Romania, and Xavier Martinet, general manager of Groupe Renault Italy. The Duster won’t be the Pope’s first experience of a Dacia; during a 2016 visit to Armenia, he used an unmodified example of the Logan saloon as his official transport. He promotes frugality and modesty, whereas his predecessors rode in a variety of premium vehicles, including those from Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. In 2017, Lamborghini gifted Pope Francis a Huracán specially painted in the official colours of The Vatican. After he had blessed and autographed the car, it was sold at a charity auction for
Origin: Vatican receives modified Dacia Duster as new Popemobile
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New Mercedes GLE Coupé receives hot AMG 53 variant
Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the new GLE 53 Coupé as a performance-oriented reworking of the new GLE Coupé, also revealed today. A prelude to the full-blown GLE 63 that’s expected next year, the GLE 53 features a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six petrol engine with 429bhp and 384lb ft of torque. It also has a 48V mild-hybrid system, making use of the firm’s EQ Boost starter/ alternator that delivers an additional 22bhp and 184lb ft for short periods and improves on-paper efficiency. One of the turbos is of the conventional exhaust gas-driven variety, with another made up of an electric compressor driven by the 48v system. The unit makes the SUV capable of 0-62mph in 5.3sec (the same as the regular GLE53) and a governed 155mph, yet also a claimed 30mpg combined. The latter is an NEDC correlated figure rather than the more realistic WLTP figure, however. As with other Mercedes-AMG models, there are revisions to the chassis, including retuned active ride control and air suspension, a more direct variable-ratio steering set-up and a high-performance braking system with 400mm-diameter front discs. The car sits 15mm lower to the ground than standard in Sport and Sport+modes, and lowers to the same point above 75mph in Comfort. The firm also claims the 60mm shorter wheelbase than the standard GLE further boosts agility. AMG-specific styling modifications inside and out also feature, such as specific bumpers with larger air intakes and chrome louvres, a silver chrome front splitter and flared wheelarches. Quad tailpipe trims for the AMG exhaust system also mark it out. Furthermore, an optional AMG Night package with black exterior trim detailing and tinted windows is available. Six wheel designs can be ordered, all from 20-22in in size. Typical AMG trim elements feature inside, with stainless steel pedals, aluminium shift paddles, carbon fibre detailing and standard AMG sports seats with red topstitching. A range of different upholstery and trim elements are available to order
Origin: New Mercedes GLE Coupé receives hot AMG 53 variant
New Audi S8 receives 563bhp mild-hybrid petrol V8
Audi has revealed the flagship of its A8 range – the new S8 – packing a mild-hybrid 563bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and an innovative new suspension system. Unlike the recently revealed S6 and S7, which now make use of diesel engines, the S8 retains the large-capacity petrol V8 shared with Porsche and Bentley. It puts out 563bhp and 590lb ft of torque, although the firm has yet to release performance details beyond a 155mph limited top speed. Audi’s 48V mild-hybrid system is also brought in, featuring a starter alternator and small lithium ion battery to allow coasting and extended stop-start use, boosting efficiency in addition to cylinder deactivation. Another new system is so-called ‘predictive active suspension’. It adds electromechanical actuators to the adaptive air suspension system that can lift or push down each wheel separately, claimed to greatly reduce pitch and roll while allowing comfort levels on a par with the standard A8. To enhance refinement, an active noise cancellation system helps to mask wind and road noise. Rear-wheel steering also features alongside Audi’s sport differential, which transfers torque between the rear wheels during fast cornering and comes as standard. Ventilated carbon-ceramic brakes can be optioned, with up to 21in alloy wheels available to customers. Styling-wise, the S8 features unique detailing on the bumpers, sills and mirror housings and new twin exhaust pipes, while a black styling pack is also available. The A8’s standard ‘comfort customised contour seats’ get a sporty makeover with pneumatically adjustable side bolsters. Active noise cancellation uses the speaker system to mitigate road and wind noise for a more comfortable ride, and the S8 retains all the driver assistance systems found in the A8 for stop-start adaptive cruise control. Car-to-X connected technology can also display traffic light countdown timers in supported cities. Audi has yet to confirm UK pricing, which is expected to approach £100,000 before
Origin: New Audi S8 receives 563bhp mild-hybrid petrol V8
New BMW X1 receives makeover and hybrid option for 2019
BMW’s most popular global SUV, the X1, has been given a mid-life makeover, bringing tweaked looks and – for the first time outside of China – a plug-in hybrid version. Given that BMW shifted nearly 287,000 examples of the X1 last year, leading the segment, it’s no surprise that visual updates aren’t the most extensive. The kidney grille is now larger, in line with its newer siblings, while reshaped lights and bumpers front and rear aim to freshen the X1’s look. Larger diameter exhaust tailpipes, growing from 70mm to 90mm, complete the redesign. The M Sport variants also has more styling changes to differentiate it more than before, including a 10mm drop in ride height, larger air intakes and body-coloured styling additions. Features such as larger brake discs for the M-Sport variants are also added, alongside new colour and wheel choices for the rest of the range. Interior revisions are limited to new materials and upholstery targeted at boosting perceived quality. New contrast stitching is available for the higher-end trim variants, while three new upholstery options feature. An optional lighting package brings gives the cabin an ambient glow with six colour choices. The 6.5in, 8.8in and 10.25in (depending on spec) infotainment screens are unchanged. The big story under the bonnet is the introduction of the xDrive25e plug-in variant. On sale in March 2020 (a few months after standard models), it uses a 123bhp, 162lb ft three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 94bhp, 112lb ft electric motor powering the rear wheels for four-wheel drive. A 9.7kWh battery pack gives a claimed 31-mile electric-only range. Fuel economy and emissions data is yet to be confirmed. Alongside that, BMW has added a top-flight 228bhp xDrive25i X1 variant, which is capable of 0-62mph in 6.5sec. However, it won’t be offered in the UK, leaving the current 189bhp xDrive 20i as the most powerful model in the range. Prices for the updated X1 start at £28,795. The new X1’s unveiling follows the reveal, three days ago, of the radically reinvented 1 Series hatchback. Sporting more overt styling changes than its SUV sibling, the Volkswagen Golf rival has made the switch to a front-wheel drive platform in the name of interior space and
Origin: New BMW X1 receives makeover and hybrid option for 2019
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