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What to Look for in a Test Drive of a Luxury Vehicle

Maserati Quattroporte GTS
Whether you are shopping for your first luxury vehicle or you’ve purchased this type of vehicle before, there are a number of things you should be looking for during your test drive. Far too many buyers come into luxury car dealerships without knowing what they should be looking for when test driving a luxury vehicle. The reality is that there are significant differences in what to expect when driving vehicles such as those sold at Naples Luxury Imports and those sold by mainstream automobile dealers. Knowing these differences can and will go a long way towards helping you to make the right decision.

Power, Acceleration, and Stopping Power

When you plan to invest in a luxury automobile, you have a right to expect it to perform like one. Most luxury cars have high performance, powerful V8 or bigger engines under the hood. When you take them for a test drive, you should experience instant throttle response and unrivaled 0-60 mph acceleration. Given the amount of time and money invested in research, luxury cars should significantly outperform any other car on the market. Since you are buying a luxury vehicle with a large powerful engine under the hood, you need a braking system that is capable of keeping all of this power under control. Many now come equipped with Brembo brakes, the same brand used by a number of professional racing teams. On your test drive you should be looking at facts such as 60 -0 mph braking times, overall braking times, four-wheel antilock braking, and electronic braking assistance systems.

Out on the Road

While outstanding performance is a very important aspect of any luxury vehicle, there is far more to judging the performance of these cars than just how much horsepower is under the hood. Whether you are interested in a Maserati, Porsche, or Bentley, the vehicle you choose should exhibit zero lag when turning at any speed. These vehicles are designed with superior highly tuned suspensions and should corner without any sign of wallowing or loss of control at any speed. Bear in mind many are designed to handle the road at triple digit speeds. Steering should be tight and responsive, and the suspension should provide you with a comfortable ride yet ensure you are fully in control at all times.  

A View from the Inside

Test Driving a Luxury VehicleWhile the exterior of any luxury vehicle can be quite exquisite to look at, you will be spending most of your time on the inside. When looking over the interior of your potential new luxury car, keep in mind that these cars are intended to be a cut above the rest. This means the fit and finish should be absolutely perfect. These cars are built with the highest quality materials available, every inch of the interior should reflect this. During your test drive, there should be absolutely no unusual noises such as rattles, squeaks, or wind noises. If this is your first luxury car, it is very important that you set your expectations far higher than they have been in the past when purchasing mainstream vehicles. Those small imperfections you have been used to ignoring in the past become major flaws in a luxury automobile. Bear in mind that the majority of luxury vehicles have been built by hand, this means a fair amount of proverbial blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into the process. The hand stitched leather seats should be amongst the most comfortable car seats you have ever sat in. Not only should they be comfortable, but also should be designed in such a way as to keep you firmly held in place, this is especially important in the more high performance vehicles such as Porsche and Maserati. Beware however that many of the top performance luxury cars may offer limited visibility. In certain newer models this particular issue has been overcome with the use of rear view and all-around video monitoring systems and a full color LCD viewscreen incorporated into the infotainment system built into the vehicle's dashboard. From the ultimate in quality fit and finish to massive under the hood performance, taking a test drive in a luxury car should be an experience you will never forget. Schedule your test drive today, by using this quick online form. But bear in mind you are paying a premium price for a luxury vehicle, and as such, you should set your expectations high. You should never settle for anything less than perfection from bumper to bumper.

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Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance

Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance

With the Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance program, vehicle owners can easily keep their Maserati in pristine condition while ensuring that they have a reliable and safe driving experience. This comprehensive program encompasses both checks and replacement options on a routine basis to complement those recommended by Maserati in its typical Maintenance Schedule. By purchasing a Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance, Maserati owners are not only assured the prompt delivery of the necessary services, they'll find that the program is all inclusive. All the required labor for checking the components, as well as their replacement as needed, is included. Also included are any consumables and parts as specifically noted in the standard Maserati Maintenance Schedule. more Program Details In order to accommodate a variety of situations, the Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance program is offered in three, distinct terms. These program terms are in effect for the indicated number of months or miles - whichever is reached first. Maserati owners can choose from the following program terms: 24 months or 25,000 miles 36 months or 37,500 miles 48 months or 50,000 miles Eligibility Details The Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance program is designed to cover certain new Maserati vehicles from the 2014 model year forward. Only the following vehicles are eligible for this program: Ghibli Ghibli S Ghibli S Q4 Levante Levante S Quattroporte GTS Quattroporte S Quattroporte S Q4 If a vehicles has an original limited warranty that was included with its purchase that is more than 12 months old, it is not eligible for this program. Maserati vehicles that have an odometer reading of 12,500 or more miles are also ineligible for the Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance program. Eligible Coverage Area In order for services to be covered, they must be performed only by an authorized Maserati dealer within the following geographical areas: continental United States Hawaii Puerto Rica Alaska District of Columbia Services Included Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance program plans start at $995 for 24 months for each eligible vehicle. This includes replacement of the pollen filter once and the air filter twice as well as two engine oil and filter changes. Some of the checks that will be performed include those for the brake fluid level, the hinges, doors and front and rear lids and the headlights and other aspects of the lighting system. Other pricing structures vary depending on the term and the vehicle. Final Details While the Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance program provides Maserati owners with a good foundation of car care, other factors, such as local conditions, individual driving habits, distance driven and type of driving can play an important role in the daily wear and tear on a Maserati. These conditions could indicate the necessity of additional maintenance. Any parts and labor that are specifically detailed in the Maserati Premium Prepaid Scheduled Maintenance program are included in its price.

2017 Land Rover Discovery

Introducing the 2017 Land Rover Discovery

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery is the fifth generation of the vehicle. One of the biggest changes that people see when they look at the new model year is the body. This year, the Land Rover Discovery has a new unibody SUV design instead of the truck-based design we have grown used to. It is a completely different look but one that can be easily embraced. As a result, the body is lighter by approximately 1,000 pounds and can move more swiftly while becoming a more efficient vehicle. But there is so much more to the new model year than the new body design. Continue reading to learn all about it. more The Interior Design Even though the outside design has changed to appear smaller, the interior has gained more space. By stretching the overall design of the vehicle, you can now enjoy third row seating. The final row of seats is slightly elevated to give a theater seating look. There is also an automatic kneeling function to allow for easy access in and out of the rear seats. There is ample room inside for everyone to enjoy a nice off-road adventure and everyone can still see outside with the seat layout. Off-Roading Capabilities It wouldn't be a Land Rover without some kind of off-roading capabilities and the 2017 model year does not disappoint. The new model year has been filled with the latest technology in the category so you can enjoy the road, and lack of a road, like never before. Some of the features include All-Terrain Progress Control, which is like a cruise control at lower speeds for off-road adventures, the Terrain Response 2 multi-program off-road system for better control and access while driving, and Advanced Tow Assist, which allows drivers to back a trailer with the Terrain Response rotary instead of the steering wheel. Technology Additions Adding the latest technology to vehicles is something that must be done in order to stay relevant in the market and the Land Rover does not disappoint. Anywhere you are in the vehicle, you can enjoy the touch of technology. Inside the vehicle you will find a 3G Wi-Fi hotspot, six 12-volt charge points, and up to nine USB plugs. All of that comes standard but you can also add in an optional 10 inch infotainment screen with InTouch software included. You can even use an app to use Intelligent Seat Fold technology and fold any of the second or third row seats at the touch of your screen. They have also included the Activity Key wristband which can allow drivers to lock their key in the car and then unlock it by touching the waterproof wristband to the "D" on the tailgate. The 2017 Land Rover Discovery has had a major change to the overall look but there are also other notable changes that makes it a great option for anyone looking for a smaller off-roading vehicle. It looks better than ever before and it was designed to function better as well.

Red Bentley Bentayga

Awards the Bentayga Won in 2016

The Bentley Bentayga officially went into production one year ago. Now, 12 months later, the world’s most luxurious SUV is earning international accolades for its high-end design, state-of-the-art technology, and structural engineering. more Earning some of the auto industry most prestigious honors, the Bentayga was not only well-received by critics; customers are smitten with the world’s fastest SUV as well. Bentley has ramped up production of SUV and have started delivers in all 50+ markets in which it has active dealers. In a statement, Wolfgang Durheimer, CEO of Bentley Motors, said the launch has been a major success and that the Bentayga sets “the benchmark for modern luxury.” The team at Naples Luxury Imports agrees, as the interest in the Bentayga at our Naples location has continued to grow. Simply put, the Bentayga is a game changer in the luxury market. Bentayga Takes Home 12 Awards in 2016 The Bentayga garnered acclaim from a variety of industry publications. In the U.S. – Bentley’s largest market – the Bentayga was named the “Best of the Best” in the Robb Report US annual awards, one of the industry’s highest honors. Gear Patrol, a men’s magazine, also praised the Bentayga as a “new SUV benchmark,” naming the SUV a 2016 GP100 Winner. In the UK, the Bentayga was also much ballyhooed about. Autocar magazine gave its annual “Game Changer” award to the Bentayga, and Robb Report UK named the five-door SUV its “SUV of the Year.” In Asia, the praise continued. Car and Driver China awarded the Bentayga with its Special Jury Award. Also, The Global Times and industry groups in Singapore and the Middle East gave the Bentayga its top honors. A Success a Decade in the Making Bentley has long held aspirations to develop a high-end, ultra-luxury SUV, with initial designs coming as early as 2006. But before the Bentayga, most concept SUVs from Bentley never gained traction. The Bentayga, though, has been a much different story. The 12-cylinder SUV has gone from concept (the 2012 EXP 9 F) to production SUV in just 42 months. The vehicle was first unveiled in late 2015 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with production beginning in November 2015. The launch has been a well-documented success: Bentley says they built 5,500 luxury SUVs at its Crewe manufacturing facility in 2016, and deliveries are moving swiftly throughout all of its markets. The Bentayga has certainly broke new ground for the luxury SUV segment. In terms of performance, the stats are truly eye-popping. The Bentayga features: Bentley 6.0L Twin Turbo W-12 Engine 0 to 60 MPH in 4 seconds Top Speed: 187 MPH 5-90 % of torque in 1.1 seconds 600 horsepower, 664 pound-feet torque It’s truly the world’s fastest SUV. Yet, of course, the Bentayga features Bentley’s signature top-of-the-mark luxury. Outside, the Bentayga is laden in advanced aluminum sheet metal and sharp lines. LED headlamps and available 20-, 21- or 22-inch fully forged wheels finish off the Bentayga’s muscular profile. Inside, the Bentayga is fitted with the finest materials. Exclusive wood veneers are used in abundance; tailored leather seating surfaces deliver high-luxury comfort, and solid metal accents speech to the cabin’s craftsmanship. The Bentayga also receives innovative technology, including dual 10.2 –inch entertainment screens, Wi-Fi connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Driver Assistance systems, touchscreen infotainment, and advanced navigation. Learn more about the 2017 Bentley Bentagya at Naples Luxury Imports. Visit our Naples location today or contact a sales representative to learn more about owning the world’s fastest, more luxurious SUV.