Landmark models of Lamborghini, Porsche launched by PGA Cars
PGA Cars Philippines has been very busy of late, launching new landmark models that have a significant impact to the brands under its care, their current models, and more importantly, their future.
Porsche Philippines unveiled the latest variant, the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, the Cayenne’s most powerful variant with a combined output that sees a massive 729hp and a monstrous 950 Newton-Meters of torque driving all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid has a 29.5kwh battery allowing the Cayenne an all-electric range of 82 kilometers on a single charge that is more than enough for two to three days of normal city commuting and worth mentioning that it is exempt from color coding.
It is offered in the standard two-box SUV body and the sleeker Coupe body style, the latter available with the GT handling package for enhanced driving dynamics. It can accelerate from 0-100kph in 3.7 seconds, all the way to an electronically limited 295kph top speed. The two-chamber air suspension provides the sturdy legs to keep it in control while providing a supple ride, together with massive multi-piston brakes and dinner plate discs. Porsche Torque Vectoring, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control provide the last bit of electronic trickery to give the Cayenne surprising grace under duress. Rear wheel steering is also available as an option to further aid maneuverability and agility. Buyers can choose from 18-way adjustable sport seats, or more relaxed 14-way adjustable comfort seats, ideal for true continent crushing journeys. A staggered set of 21-inch wheels with 285/40R21 front and 315/35R21 rear tires wrapped in sticky highway terrain Michelins provide the mechanical grip.
The other vehicle recently introduced hails from Sant’Agata Bolognese, a suburb of Bologna in the Emilio-Romagna region of Italy. I’m referring to the limited edition Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato of course. The Sterrato is a Huracan with a raised suspension and widened suspension optimized for rough roads and light trails in an exotic looming package.
The basic powertrain remains the same: a naturally aspirated V10 screamer producing 610hp and 560 Newton-Meters of torque driving all-four wheels via 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The sprint to 100kmh is dispatched in 3.4 seconds all the way to a 260kmh top speed. The suspension is raised 44mm, with wider front and rear tracks of 30mm and 34mm respectively. The Sterrato has reinforced sills and a sturdy aluminum under-pan protection, plus smaller 19-inch wheels with 235/40R19 and 285/40R19 runflat tires specially developed by Bridgestone. These Dueler 002 tires can go at 80kmh for 80 kilometers with zero pressure inside. Despite the smaller wheels, the Huracan still hides massive 380mm by 38mm front discs and 356mm by 32mm rear discs clamped by brick-sized multi-piston calipers.
Perhaps the Sterrato’s most striking visual features are the blacked out wheel flares, the roof rails, and the air-intake mounted atop the rear boot to feed cooling air to the stampeding V10. It definitely makes for a unique, Mad Max- style street presence.
The Lamborghini LIVD (Lamborghini Integrated Vehicle Dynamics) has been tweaked to deliver amazing offroad performance, with three driving modes: Strada (street), Sport (for track use), and Rally, delivering tail-sliding performance on off-road trails.
According to Lamborghini Philippines, the Sterrato and the recently announced Huracan STJ are the swan song models for the Huracan which is ending production very soon after a successful 11-year career.
It’s exciting to see these special, limited edition cars on our roads. Now I’m looking forward to the official local unveiling of the 911 Dakar.