Mercedes’ local Armstrong tactics At the risk of being ‘ir-reverend’, east Aucklanders soon won’t to go to the Lord with requests to buy them a Mercedes-Benz; instead they’ll be able to meet their high-spec motor maker right here! Expected to open next year on Ti Rakau Drive, the new Mercedes-Benz Botany dealership will be operated by the Armstrong Group. Owner, Rick Armstrong, says the dealership will boast an expansive, purpose-built showroom along with service work and grooming bays on its 1.1 hectare site. “We are very proud to confirm that Mercedes-Benz will be the anchor brand in Botany. “This will be our third MercedesBenz dealership in New Zealand... it is a very important marque for the Armstrong Group, and I am delighted to expand our partnership with the brand,” he says.
“A number of dealerships have been represented in the Botany and East Tamaki area, [but] it is still lacking a central automotive hub... we are confident that the Ti Rakau area
will now become that central point. The new development, with a total investment of well over $20m, will be the genesis of a new vehicle precinct.”
The carbon fibre tribute McLaren P1 by MSO (left) at the Geneva show is one of the 375 road legal versions produced. The 675LT Spider has a unique satin carbon fibre retractable hardtop and tonneau that can be operated at speeds up to 40km/h, and saves 1kg. Photo supplied
Carbon fibre tribute McLaren Automotive is attending the Geneva Motor Show for the fourth time this year, where McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will pay a carbon fibre tribute to the McLaren P1 which recently ceased production. MSO has also created a bespoke version of the 675LT Spider which makes its first public appearance at the show after selling out in weeks. The both line up next to the recentlyconfirmed 650S GT3 racing car. The latest customer project completed by the team at McLaren
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Special Operations through its MSO Bespoke division, showcases the craftsmanship and levels of tailoring available to all McLaren owners. The McLaren P1™ by MSO has a full visual carbon fibre body which has been hand-laid, with a bespoke ‘Lio Blue’ tinted lacquer. The Geneva Motor Show is the first time the full visual carbon fibre body conversion has been displayed publicly after it was made available to McLaren P1™ customers earlier this year.
Other key upgrades completed by MSO include a gloss black finish to the wheels, an extensive retrim of the interior with carbon black Alcantara and contrasting blue stitching, and a 24-carat gold exhaust heat shield in a homage to the McLaren F1. The 675LT Spider is limited to only 500 examples worldwide, with each model already accounted for. The team at MSO has developed a one-off example of the track-honed Spider finished in Ceramic Grey from the MSO Defined range with even
greater levels of carbon fibre than the standard model. Performance for the 675LT Spider by MSO remains unchanged, with the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine generating 497kW (666bhp) and 700Nm (516lb ft) of torque. It will accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 2.9 seconds, zero to 200km/h (124mph) in 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 326km/h (204mph). The 86th annual Geneva Motor Show runs from March 3 to 13. www.eastlife.co.nz