The Porsche Taycan Turbo S Features Set the Stage for Next-Level Luxury Vehicles

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Porsche Taycan Turbo S ushers in a new age of electric luxury performance sedans, wrapping together almost anything a buyer could be looking for into one exquisite package. The Taycan itself is rather impressive, giving buyers who may be apprehensive to buy more common electric cars like a Tesla an option that stands out, backed by a brand that has a long history of quality and reliability. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S offers the highest level of performance and luxury, with the power output and features to prove it.

The Porsche Taycan Turbo S combines performance and luxury in perfect harmony

An electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S | Sebastian Gollnow, picture alliance, Getty Images

Porsche is known for two things: luxury and performance. In years of production and motorsports history, the popular German brand has masterfully integrated the two together, creating vehicles that are uncompromising in any way. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S could be the epitome of mixing together luxury and performance, with an interior cabin space that offers high-quality materials, new-age technology, and modern features, and an electric motor that pushes the car faster than performance numbers can actually express. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is the car that will change your mind about electric vehicles.

Next-level luxury from Porsche

Brands like Porsche, Audi, and BMW have been long-standing trendsetters in the world of automotive features and options, providing pioneering technology in cars that make them great options for buying an older used model — because you can often find them endowed with technology that has only recently become popular in other brands. With a six-figure starting price of $186,350, any buyer would have the right to hold the electric supercar killer to high standards, and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S surely doesn’t disappoint. Of course, it offers all of the basic tech features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, heated front seats, ambient lighting, high-quality materials, and leather with modern yet modest trim designs for an upscale, expensive feel, and much like the high-end Mercedes Maybach, the Porche Taycan Turbo S doesn’t have to rely on exotic body lines to look like a piece of art.

What does the Porsche Taycan Turbo S offer?

Besides the crazy performance statistics — like the 750 hp offered in over boost) — there are a lot of luxury features that make the Porsche Taycan Turbo S stand out from the competition and set the stage for our expectations of next-level luxury. Some of the options available on the Turbo S include:

  • Massaging front seats
  • Dash-mounted chronograph
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • 21-speaker Burmester premium audio
  • Passenger touch screen
  • Night vision
  • Four-zone automatic climate control

If you didn’t know this, the Porsche Taycan isn’t actually the first electric car produced by Porsche. In fact, the brand itself is so old and rich in heritage and history that it was among the manufacturers that attempted to pioneering the use of electric motors over a hundred years ago. While that endeavor may have been well ahead of its time, the Taycan Turbo S undoubtedly lives up to our expectations of modern-day electric cars, exceeds them, and sets a new standard for both performance and luxury.

RELATED: The Tesla Model S Plaid is the New Coolest Place to Just Hangout

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Cars & Bids Bargain of the Week: 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s gearing up to go electric, but Dodge’s Hellcat models are still roaring away. However, Dodge offered some high-horsepower vehicles before the first Hellcat ever did a burnout. For example, before the Durango SRT and Hellcat SUVs, there was the Shelby SP-360. And this week on Cars & Bids, there’s a chance to own the truck that preceded the Ram 1500 TRX: the Dodge Ram SRT-10.

Forget the Hemi, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 has a Viper engine

2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 | Stellantis

While dune-jumping trucks like the F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX define the performance pickup world today, that wasn’t the case in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Back then, a performance truck was something like the F-150 SVT Lightning: forgoing off-roading in favor of corner-carving. Or at the very least, flattening the pavement in a straight line.

The Dodge Ram SRT-10 is even better than the SVT Lightning at that last job. That ‘SRT-10’ in its name stems from the engine under its hood: the 8.3-liter V10 from the contemporary Viper. As in the Viper, the V10 makes 500 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque. And that power goes to the truck’s rear wheels via the Viper’s six-speed manual.

Initially only available in single-cab, manual form, Dodge later offered the Ram SRT-10 as a quad cab with an automatic. But while the automatic model actually has a tow rating (7500 lbs), for sheer speed, you want the stick. The manual Ram SRT-10 is still tied for the second-fastest fastest pickup Car and Driver has ever tested. It goes 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which is slower than the Ram 1500 TRX. But it’s 0.3 seconds faster than the SVT Lightning, which is 400 lbs lighter.

Although the Dodge Ram SRT-10’s main party piece is that Viper engine, the truck has more to offer. To handle all that power and weight, Dodge added Bilstein shocks, stiffer springs, a rear sway bar, and upgraded suspension components, MotorTrend reports. The SRT-10 also rides lower than the standard Ram and has four-wheel disc brakes plus an upgraded cooling system. And while the hood scoop is nonfunctional, the front splitter and rear spoiler are. Plus, inside there’s a carbon-fiber leather-trimmed steering wheel and well-bolstered leather bucket sport seats.

There’s a 2004 model for sale on Cars & Bids

A red 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 on a driveway
2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 front 3/4 | Cars & Bids

As of this writing, there’s a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 up for auction on Cars & Bids. And it comes fairly well equipped beyond its performance-related features.

It has power-adjustable pedals, a removable tailgate, heated door mirrors, fog lights, and an eight-speaker audio system with a subwoofer and a six-disc CD changer. Plus, while the manual SRT-10 technically wasn’t tow-rated from the factory, this 2004 model has a trailer tow harness with a four-pin connector. Also, this 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 isn’t stock. It comes with a short-throw shifter, window rain guards, as well as aftermarket rear bump stops, power steering lines, and engine oil cooler lines.

The black-leather sport seats and center console of a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10
2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 interior | Cars & Bids

Cars & Bids notes that this Ram SRT-10 was in an accident, though the only repair appears to be a new or repainted front bumper. In addition, the truck has some exterior scratches and interior. But it has less than 32,900 miles on the clock as well as fairly new tires and plenty of service records. The seller also recently replaced the oil, power steering pump, and serpentine belt.

The Dodge Ram SRT-10 won’t be a bargain Viper truck for much longer

As of this writing, this 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 is listed on Cars & Bids for $19,000 with three days left in the auction. That’s less than half of its original sticker price. And it’s noticeably less than even an early Viper RT/10 these days.

Speaking of, this might be one of the last chances to get a reasonably affordable Ram SRT-10. These V10-powered muscle trucks are appreciating; Hagerty says that $20K is now the bare minimum for a fair-condition example. And the last one that sold on Cars & Bids went for $35,250.

So, if you want a stick-shift truck that can keep up with some sports cars, this Ram might be worth considering.

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RELATED: Why This Custom Ram 1500 TRX 6×6 Is Called Warlord

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10 Cars With the Best New Technology

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you’re a car shopper who has to have the latest technology, you may be looking for cars with the best technology. Technology can impact everything from how your car rides to how easy it is to listen to your favorite music. How do you choose a car with the right technology for you? Start by checking out this list of the cars with the best technology.

2021 Mercedes S-Class | Mercedes

5. 2021 BMW 4-Series

The 2021 BMW 4-Series uses hands free technology and lane change technology which is top-notch. It includes integrated displays, digital assistant, and mobile connections which allow you to unlock your car and remote start from your phone. The 4-Series also comes with  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and you can choose to get a 10.3” touchscreen. 

4. 2022 Porsche 911 GT3

The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 has four-wheel steering and four-way seats. 

Don’t want to be overwhelmed by technology while you’re driving? Porsche has made a “Track Screen” feature that allows you to have only necessary information on your screen. This will eliminate distractions while driving.

3. 2021 Polestar 2

The 2021 Polestar 2 has loads of technology. It comes with Androied Automotive, which comes with Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play. Its infotainment screen is easy to use, and its voice-activated assistance is similarly simple. 

2. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra

You can get the 2021 Hyundai Elantra with a 10.2” LCD screen. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Want great speakers? The 2021 Hyundai Elantra comes with Bose. It even has a digital key system for entry via cell phone.

The Elantra also uses technology for some of its great safety features, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. All this together makes the 2021 Hyundai Elantra a great, affordable choice.

1. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 

It’s probably no surprise that a Mercedes has some of the best technology a car can have. Although the Mercedes-Benz S-Class will cost you, if technology is a priority, you won’t be disappointed. 

According to CNET, the Mercedes-Benz S Class has augmented reality overlays which will help you navigate. It also has a top-of-the line infotainment system, with a 12.8” LED touchscreen in the middle of up to five screens. You can even share data between other screens in the car and customize up to seven profiles. 

You can also choose a Burmester 4D sound system with 30 speakers for your Mercedes. There’s even ear-level speakers designed to give the driver information without having to send it to all passengers. 

Each and every one of these cars comes with a host of awesome technology. Whether you want great speakers, a high-tech navigation system, or the best safety features, there’s a car on this list for you. Balancing out the technology that you’re seeking within your budget and other parameters surrounding your car search will help you to pick a high-tech car that’s right for you.

RELATED: Want a Race car? These 4 Cars Are Pretty Close

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Volvo Annihilated 10 Brand New Models in the Name of Safety

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Volvo brand has been a beacon of safety in the automotive industry, making a name for itself as some of the safest cars on the road. Volvo invented the three-point seat belt technology that is still used in virtually every vehicle on the road today. In fact, the Volvo brand prioritizes safety so much that it sacrificed brand new XC40, V60, and V90 models in order to help reduce teams research new methods for extraction after extreme crashes.

Volvo car showroom | Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

So what’s the best way to mimic the damage and unpredictable position of a car after it’s been in an extreme crash? Drop it from 30 meters with a crane, of course. Check out the video below. In order to provide helpful data to extrication workers, Volvo crashed brand new models onto their faces from nearly 100 feet in the air. Let’s take a look.

Are Volvo models really the safest car?

a new Volvo V90CC on display at an auto show is one of the safest cars on the road
Volvo V90 Cross Country | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Volvo models are among the safest cars on the market. In 2021, every Volvo earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the International Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS. Volvo is a pioneer in terms of automotive safety. Starting with the invention of the widely-used three-point seatbelt and then, more recently, innovation in new crash mitigation tech.

The brand itself is seated firmly in our minds as one of the safest car brands out there. From sedan to wagon, to family-friendly crossover SUV, the Volvo lineup offers several different options for buyers interested in safety combined with a premium fit and finish. It’s difficult to say in absolute terms what the safest car out there really is. That said, the Volvo brand remains a safe staple in the industry.

So Volvo took it one step further than most. The brand sacrificed new Volvo cars and crossover models to show us just how much the Swedish car brand keeps safety at the core of its values. Ultimately, 10 new models were destroyed in order to help rescue teams. The pros painstakingly research new methods of extrication in the event of an extreme crash.

Watch as Volvo XC40, V60, and V90 models plummet to their death from a crane

The Volvo V90 Cross Country (V90CC) tests begin in the video at the 4:27 mark. First, it’s dropped tail first 30 meters to a concrete crash pad. The Volvo XC40 and Volvo V60 models are also tested this way. The video shows the vehicles plummeting toward extreme destruction tail first, face first, and sideways.

The purpose of such rigorous testing is to give the rescue crews a chances to test out new ways to extract passengers from inside the car. The rescue professionals in the video speak of the importance of documenting everything. The “golden hour” is vital to saving lives of passengers in extreme crash situations.

This means that getting injured passengers, many of whom are in critical condition after such an accident, to the hospital for care within the first hour could mean the difference between life and death. But what is so special about the fact that Volvo gives up these cars? Does it have anything to do with them being some of the safest cars around?

These crash test give extrication professionals a chance to test their methods on new models

Volvo XC60, S60, V90 Cross Country, and S90
Volvo XC60, S60, V90 Cross Country, and S90 | Volvo

Cars today are pretty different than they were 10, 15, or 20 years ago. That’s why it’s so special for Volvo to sacrifice these brand new Volvo XC40, Volvo V60, and Volvo V90CC models. These cars are brand new.

The scrap cars typically used in training and tests are at least a decade old. On the other hand, the crashed cars in the video are new Volvo models provided by the safety-conscious Swedish brand. The extrication specialists and rescue personnel are then able to train and research extraction methodology on new models. This way, they know what to expect should they get called to a crash scene of an accident involving a new car.

RELATED: The Most Complained About Volvo SUVs

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