Automotive

The pioneers in electric car manufacturing, Tesla Motors, have begun the rollout for their latest creation: the Model X. The dual-motor all-wheel drive was unveiled by Tesla in 2012, and orders placed soon after the release are set to be delivered later in 2014.  The Model X sports ‘falcon wing’ doors, which open upwards using sensors to determine their opening sequence and avoid hitting nearby objects, making them ideal for tight parking spaces. This innovative design also allow step-in entry to both the second and the third row of seats, making them as easily accessible as the passenger seat. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in less than 5 seconds, outperforming many sports cars. Running only on electricity, it is estimated that the Model X will be capable of travelling up to 370 km on one charge, and Tesla Motors have recently rolled out a network of 480 volt ‘supercharger’ stations across the USA and Europe to facilitate long distance trips. The Tesla interior contains a range of premium surfaces and panoramic glass, and an inbuilt touchscreen device which provides access to entertainment and information on-the-go.

The focus of the new motorcycle, Ducati 1199 Panigale S, from Italy is to take the driver back to where it all begun, the drive, creating that first experience of getting on the motorbike and going for your first ride, the adrenalin pumping through your system as you zoom across the track. The sleek, sharp, traditional design is a unique take on motorcycling manufacturing. The simple yet dynamic frame of the bike, along with the bold red large shapes and smooth round surfaces take on the balance of modern engineering and design, which means the driver, has more control over the bike. The Panigale S is a leading combination of elegance and power whilst maintaining an impact of safety, enhancing the qualities of performance and beauty. The introduction of LED headlights, as well as an angled steering wheel, engine and exhaust pipe and the two wheeled design has generated the way motorcycles are created and how the motorbike is used. The market is consumed with a number of motorbikes each year but the Ducati 1199 Panigale S proves you can rely on traditional design and powerful performance and still, your motorbike will remain timeless.

The VW Golf GTi Mk7, the seventh generation GTi, has just gone on sale in Australia, priced from $41,490 plus on-roads for the six-speed manual and $43,990 for the six-speed DSG automatic. The GTI is a later inclusion to the Mk7 Golf range, which arrived in local showrooms earlier this year. The three-door body style is now permanently gone from the range, and the new GTI has gone exclusively five-door in Australia.