Quattro-Porte - Four Door Sport Saloons » 1990-1995

Bugatti EB112

Roel Polllen — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 05:00:45 +0000

Bugatti EB112
After reviving the Bugatti brand in 1991 by the launch of the EB110, Romano Artioli also wanted to bring back a large, luxurious and very fast sport saloon in the old tradition from Molsheim. He asked Giorgetto Giugiaro to design the new car, which would be called EB112. Mauro Forghieri, a famous Ferrari engineer, was in the lead of the development. The EB112 was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1993 and it was a ridiculously fast car with an enormous lump of a V12 engine in the front. In the EB112 the interior was furnish with luxurous Italian leather, expensive wood and all imaginable luxury. Giugiaro focused the interior design on the rear of the car with very much leg room and a great seating position for the rich passenger in the back. On the same time the EB112 was a great drivers car. Unfortunately this quattro-porte never camw past the prototype phase, because Bugatti Automobili SpA went bankrupt in 1995 after having produced only 4 EB112s and 139 EB110s.

Technical specification Bugatti EB112:

Engine: Bugatti 6 Liter V12

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Power: 455 HP

Wheelbase: 310 cm (122 in)

Length: 507 cm (199.6 in)

Width: 196 cm (77.2 in)

Height: 140.5 cm (55.3 in)

Weight: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb)

Top speed: 300 KM/h (186 MPH)

0-100 KM/h: 4.4 seconds

Production number: 4

Designer: Giorgetto Giugiaro (ItalDesign)

Bentley Turbo R

Roel Polllen — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 07:30:09 +0000

Bentley Turbo R
After the start of adding a turbo to the Mulsanne, Bentley decided to create a specific model which was called only Turbo and added the R (for “Roadholding”). In 1985 the car was introduced to the market on the Geneva Motor Show. The biggest change compared to the Mulsanne Turbo was the R for roadholding by adding a new suspension. The suspension changes transformed the new Bentley into a much sportier performance car than its predecessor. During the following 12 years, Bentley added all kinds of ‘new’ technology such as fuel injection, ABS and a four speed automatic. Also the Turbo R had some minor cosmetic updated on both the body and the interior. In 1997 the Turbo R was replaced by the almost identical but much more powerful Turbo RT.

Technical specification Bentley Turbo R:

Engine: Bentley 6.75 Liter V8

Transmission: 3 or 4-speed automatic

Power: About 300HP

Wheelbase: 306 cm (120.5 in)

Length: 528 cm (207.8 in)

Width: 189 cm (74.4 in)

Height: 148 cm (58.3 in)

Weight: 2,250 kg (4960 lb)

Top speed: 235 KM/h (146 MPH)

0-100 KM/h: About 6 seconds

Production number: 7,230 (5,196 SWB & 2,034 LWB)

Designer: Fritz Feller (Designer of RR Silver Spirit)

Lancia Thema 8.32 Series 2

Roel Polllen — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:34:33 +0000

Lancia Thema 8.32 Series 2
In 1989 the Thema model recieved a facelift after being in the market for 5 years. The Thema 8.32 got the same treatment and look a bit sleeker and modern. Technically the car was identical to the 8.32 Series 1, same goes for the interior. The second series got a catalyst and therefore a little less power and performance. After another 5 years the production of the Lancia Thema seized, two years before the 8.32′s production came to an end. Less than 4,000 Tema 8.32 cars were delivered to their owners in which 64 limited editions. This special 8.32 was delivered in original Ferrari red paint and was only made as 32 cars of the 1st series and 32 cars of the 2nd series.

Technical specification Lancia Thema 8.32 Series 2:

Engine: Ferrari 2.9 Liter V8

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Power: 205 HP

Wheelbase: 266 cm (104.7 in)

Length: 459 cm (180.7 in)

Width: 176 cm (69.1 in)

Height: 144 cm (56.7 in)

Weight: 1,400 kg (3,086 lb)

Top speed: 235 KM/h (146 MPH)

0-100 KM/h: 7.2 seconds

Production number: 1,602

Designer: Giorgetto Giugiaro (Italdesign)

Maserati Quattroporte IV

Roel Polllen — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:57:03 +0000

Maserati Quattroporte IV

After almost 10 years of being absent in the market for four door sport saloons, Maserati returned with the fourth series of the Quattreporte. This time around the Quattroporte was designed by Marcello Gandini, noticably recognizable by the slanting wheel arches at the back of the car. Only one year ealier Maserati was acquired from de Tomaso by Fiat and the Quattroporte was the first Maserati to be launched. Development however started still in the de Tomaso ownership, having distinct design features from the 1992 Maserati Ghibli. The car was launched featuring two V6 Maserati engines, a 2.0 Liter and a 2.8 Liter, both with turbos (inheritance from the Biturbo era). One year later the 3.2 Liter V8 was introduced in the Quattroporte, coming from the exquisite Shamal. Only three years later the car was completely overhauled by its new owner and reintroduced as “Evoluzione”.

Technical specification Maserati Quattroporte IV:

Engine: Maserati 2,0 or 2,8-litre V6 engine and 3,2-litre V8 engine

Transmission: 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual gearbox

Power: 287 HP, 284 HP and 336 HP

Wheelbase: 265 cm (104.3 in)

Length: 455 cm (179.1 in)

Width: 181 cm (71.3 in)

Height: 135 cm (53.1 in)

Weight: 1,543–1,647 kg (3,402–3,631 lb)

Top speed: 255-270 KM/h (158-168 MPH)

0-100 KM/h: approx. 6 seconds

Production number: 1,670 (resp. 587, 668 and 415)

Designer: Marcello Gandini