Name of Vehicle : Monteluci Bucintoro 4700 Lusso
Automotive Manufacturer : Monteluci ‘Lusso’, the name of one of the most well-known types of Monteluci 2+2 coupés, is back. Since 1934, the name has been used by the brand to indicate their most luxurious, but sportive 2-door coupés, bought and utilised by the rich and famous. Bucintoro is the name traditionally given to the state ship of the Venetian Doge, a name which is symbolic for the luxury and quality the automobile will be associated with. Two versions will be available at the model launch: The 3200 Lusso and the 4700 Lusso, both petrol-fueled models, Equipped with a 3.2 litre Biturbo engine (from the Duca) or a 4.7 litre naturally aspirated engine (as available in the Bucintoro). In true Lusso tradition, these engines have received minor performance upgrades, allowing them to put out 350 and 490 PS respectively. This means that even the basic Bucintoro (The 3200 Lusso) is ten times more powerful than the Monteluci Pangea, of 1912, one of the most powerful racing cars of its days.
Sitting on a modified Bucintoro platform, the Bucintoro is a vehicle for people who do not require the space of the Bucintoro and prefer a more sportive automobile, that can compete with f-segment sportscars and luxury coupés. Unlike the Bucintoro, the Bucintoro is equipped with a standard suspension, relying on double wishbones up front, combined with a rear Multilink setup. In practice, all power from the engine is transmitted onto the rear wheels, even though the 4D Four-wheel-Drive system is an option on the 4700. The 3200 is only available with Rear-Wheel-Drive.
In true Lusso style, both cars will receive a lavish interior equipment, with instruments by the known Swiss watchmaking company Jaeger-Lecoultre, with a black background and chrome surrounds, to support the feeling of exclusivity. The rest of the instrument cluster uses a fairly conventional lay-out, with descriptions in Italian, analogue speed and rev counters, as well as water (Acqua), Oil (Olio) and fuel (Benzina/Gasolio) meters. On the dashboard, above the entertainment system, a central clock and several other meters (Press. Olio, Ampere, Volt, Potenza disponibile) have been placed, the clock being placed above all meters. The center console is slightly driver-oriented, making it perfectly operable. Next to this, a multifunctional LCD screen has been mounted in between the instruments, in order to offer increased visibility for the multifunction computer aboard the Monteluci. The LCD screen is supported by a Head-up-Display, which allows the driver to keep his eyes on the road while driving, increasing safety.
The steering wheel, made out of luxurious A-grade leather, is completely multifunctional and can be used to set the sound system, navigation, telephone or the trip computer. Next to this, it features buttons to set the cruise control and HUD. The rest of the dashboard is also made out the same luxurious leather, with contrasting stitching. The seats have not only been made out of leather selected by Monteluci upholstery personnel and living in a field where sharp edges such as barbed wire are completely absent, but also feature alcantara inserts. Furthermore, they are heated and ventilated, and feature full electric adaptivity (including memory slots for up to 5 drivers, either corresponding with the ignition key used, or selectable by numbered buttons on the seat). The system also has a massage option. The rear seats are blessed with the same heating and ventilation systems, as well as the massage settings, and these two seats are separated by a cooled storage compartment (option) that slide open with just a fingertouch. This storage compartment also has the possibility to store up to two champagne flutes, made out of the best Van Luxemburger lead crystal glass. The cooled compartment itself is large enough to store a bottle of high-quality champagne. A bottle of Levallois Champagne is delivered with every new Bucintoro. In the back, the boot is spacious and offers around 500 litres of dedicated luggage space, whilst also storing a full spare tire. With the Bucintoro, a specially designed luggage set is standard, and was made specifically to exploit the large size and shape of the Bucintoro’s luggage compartment.
The touchscreen navigation system inside the Bucintoro is not just a system that can navigate the vehicle from point A to point B, but also functions as an entertainment system. The vehicle features a 1TB hard drive for saving music and movies, a 10-cd changer, radio receivers for AM and FM radio, but also a DVB-T receiver to be able to watch digital TV. The system also has a slot that can facilitate a GPRS or UMTS card, allowing the user to browse the internet. Next to this, up to two SIM-cards can be inserted, allowing the user to make handsfree phone calls. The system makes use of icons and graphics to increase simplicity, and the whole system is displayed in 1080p Full High-Definition, including the car settings and the navigation system. The audio system was supplied by Mark Levinson, and uses an array of several speakers to generate a fantastic sound, unrivalled in the market today.
The Bucintoro is equipped with an electric handbrake, that can automatically engage as the vehicle is parked, and will disengage if the driver presses the accelerator pedal.
Exclusive for the 4700 Lusso, is the panorama sun roof, which extends across the whole roof of the vehicle, and also features a centre section that can be opened electrically. Next to this, it is electro-chromatic, meaning the roof can be made lighter or darker whenever the occupants want to, a system that is also utilised in all mirrors (to prevent the driver from being blinded by cars behind the Bucintoro). The 3200 Lusso is equipped with a sun roof, which can be opened in order to allow light and air to flood in on sunny days. In addition to this, an advanced climate control system with three zones (for the driver, front passenger and the rear seat), is standard on every model, allowing the vehicle to keep its occupants cool at all times, thanks to an increased-capacity airconditioning system.
Next to these features, it has all the standard equipment from the Bucintoro, including the 3D parking system, with automatic parking option. A radar-controlled cruise control system, that can even operate in traffic jams (automatically keeping a set distance from the car in front),
All Bucintoros are equipped with LED daytime running lights, and bixenon headlamps. These headlamps are adaptive, and can follow the car into a corner, illuminating the road ahead perfectly (option). The brakes were made with the help of Brembo, and every Bucintoro has 380mm brake discs all-round, with six-piston callipers in a single aluminium block. These provide superior braking power, and with the help of the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), ABS and EBD are coordinated in case of emergency. The Bucintoro’s weight distribution is near-perfect, and the car uses a transaxle setup, in which the engine is placed behind the front wheels, essentially making the Bucintoro a mid-engined car. A 48% front and 52% rear weight distribution is the result of this.
Electronic Power steering makes the steering precise and direct, and it takes only 2 360 degree steering wheel turns to go from the front wheels pointing extreme right to pointing extreme left. A special ‘city’ option is integrated, and can be activated at the push of a button: it makes the car extremely light to manoeuvre, and easy to handle in cities. A seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox, an in-house development of the company, is hooked up to the car’s engine as standard, and can be operated in manual (using the stick to shift up and down), semi-automatic (using the + and - flippers behind the steering wheel), or fully automatic mode (no actions required). Settings for special circumstances (Grip, for a more active Vehicle Dynamic Control, or F1, for a more sportive feel to the vehicle.)
The car is also equipped with a keyless-go system, in which the driver can approach the vehicle with the key in his pocket, open the door without pressing the ‘open’ button on the key, and then press the starter button to unleash the full force of the Monteluci engine.
On the outside, Monteluci stylists have also added several chromed details, to underline the classy appearance of the vehicle. These include the door handles and the window surrounds. The mirrors are made out of carbon fibre, to make them extremely light. Next to this, they can be heated and folded electrically, to aid in the comfort the driver enjoys. The rear lights are equipped with LEDs as standard, to increase safety both at night and at day.
The Bucintoro is a remarkably safe car, and has a true range of airbags safeguarding the driver and his passengers, including front and side airbags for the rear passengers. The Bucintoro also has a bonnet made out of soft materials, and lifts up several centimeters upon collision with a pedestrian. A small airbag deploys from under the bonnet, making the impact safer for the pedestrian. Other safety amenities include ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats in the rear seats and the front passenger seat, a front headlight washer system using high-pressure cleaning jets, and light and rain sensors that automatically activate the lighting and wipers respectively. A blind spot monitor (BSM) is also installed, and monitors movement in the drivers’ blind spot, warning him of possible dangers.