VLT Automotive Group N.V. (Automotive Storefront v3.5)

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:09 am

CLOSED

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:24 am

*reserved for news/messages/misc.*

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:24 am

*vehicle modifications, CURRENTLY UNDER REVISION*

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:38 am

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:42 am

Monteluci Duca Pantera: Law enforcement at its best

-Placeholder for a drawing of an actual Autobahnpolizei Duca Pantera-

In early 2009, the Autobahnpolizei in Arvaglio faced a tough problem: The Duca V8 SFS’es of the previous model that were in use until then almost reached a mileage of 200,000 kilometres, and the officers that operated them generally preferred the Autobahnpolizei to buy new Duca’s. However, the demands of the officers did not quite meet the equipment delivered on a standard Duca SFS, and the custom modification of the vehicles would be very expensive. Therefore, the local Polizia Autostradale authority in Arvaglio approached the Monteluci factories and asked if they were able to create a special Duca for their police forces. Monteluci was only too happy to oblige, and the result was the Duca Pantera.

Monteluci has a longstanding relation with the Arvaglian Polizia Autostradale. The first Monteluci’s were delivered to the Autobahnpolizei around 80 years ago, and the brand has never been absent in the equipment lists of the motorway police units since then. In recent years, the high performance Duca V8 SFS was used as the regular patrol vehicle of the Autobahnpolizei, and other Duca models enjoyed considerable popularity amongst other police units.

Firstly, the development team, consisting of several representatives of Monteluci, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Autobahnpolizei, asked police officers all across the nation about their opinion on their current police vehicle. With the results of the questionnaire, the development team went to work, to develop the Duca Pantera. This vehicle was made specifically with the Van Luxemburger law enforcement market in mind. It has been designed with the Sportwagon version of the Duca in mind.

First, Monteluci made several performance upgrades, firstly by installing the mass-produced ceramic brakes of the Ducareale on the Duca. Ceramic brakes have a very high heat resistance, a low weight and low maintenance requirements, meaning it is a relatively cost-efficient solution over the brakes mounted on the standard Duca, and enhances safety on longer emergency runs.

Furthermore, the engineers modified the suspension, springs and shocks to maintain a certain level of toughness, but also be resistant to bad roads and the heavy beatings of everyday police use. The suspension can be temporarily raised by 5 cm’s, in order to reach locations that are off-road, and the Pantera has also been modified with 4D 4-wheel drive, that will increase safety and off-road capabilities. Also, to enhance drivability, a 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox has been installed, so the driver can switch between manual gearshifts and fully automatic mode.

Fig. 1: The night vision system in the Duca Pantera while on a night time emergency run towards a bank robbery.

In terms of electronics, Monteluci has contracts with Walter Technologie to supply night vision technology for the Head-Up Display, which can also display speed, rev counter, navigation instructions and an overview of the vehicle’s current assignment. Next to this, the vehicle GPS is able to continually transmit it’s location to the dispatcher’s office, and can give off an emergency alarm in case the vehicle is under attack or in trouble. Furthermore, the navigation system has been connected to the dispatcher’s office, so that every assignment is automatically loaded into the system to navigate towards the intervention. The car also has two video cameras on-board (one placed front-facing on the dashboard, one placed rear-facing behind the boot lid window. These cameras are linked to a 1TB hard drive to record actual footage, but also to the dispatcher’s office in order to let the dispatcher assess the current situation.

For traffic enforcement, these cameras are also equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) hardware, that can recognise license plates and relay them to a laptop that is to be operated by the passenger, but also with speed measuring equipment that can measure the speed and distance travelled between two points. The laptop is also linked up to the internet, and also the police database, while it can also track stolen vehicles with GPS trackers. If necessary, the GPS tracker data can also be entered in the navigation system, so that the driver can follow the stolen car with directions coming from his navigation system.

Fig. 2: The Pabst LB-25LED as mounted on the Monteluci Duca Pantera.

The Pantera has an impressive array of ‘Blues and Twos’ for emergency runs, starting with a low-profile LED lightbar by Pabst Fire Technologies, which can emit both blue and orange lights, but also has a built-in searchlight and a LED Matrix which can show the words ‘STOP – POLICE’, or other instructions, if necessary (this can include ‘POLICE – FOLLOW’, ‘ACCIDENT’ ‘<<<<<’, ‘>>>>>’, ‘STAU – TRAFFIC’, ‘KEEP DISTANCE’, ‘KEEP RIGHT’ or a customisable message.) No less than 13 LED flashers have been mounted on various position outside the vehicle, including two in the grill, two next to the foglights, two in the wing mirrors (facing front), one on the dashboard, two in the upper windshield area, two at the back of the vehicle (boot lid window) and two in the boot lid bottom. The front lights also feature a wig-wag function. Furthermore, a siren has been installed behind the grille, with four smaller loudspeakers being mounted under the lightbar (two facing front, two facing rear). They can output a maximum of 130 Db of sound. Sirens available are the wail/yelp (US), hi/lo (US), two-tone (EU), three-tone (EU), Martinshorn (D) and multiple others. In Van Luxemburger practice, the EU Two-tone/Martinshorn is used. All buttons necessary for the Pantera version have been integrated in the Duca’s dashboard in the same style as the original buttons.

In terms of communication, the Pantera has two handheld transceivers aboard that can be used by its occupants. They are linked to the car’s radio, which has a VHF antenna mounted. All radio traffic is encrypted in 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard. Every car has a ‘panic’ button, which the occupant can push to receive assistance from units in their vicinity. For practical requirements, the seats of the vehicle have been modified slightly in order to allow the average police officer to wear his belt (including holster, handcuffs, transceiver, etc.) A section of the boot has been reserved for a firearm vault, which can hold submachine guns or weapons of similar size. A suspect transport enclosure, made out of Acrylic glass (PMMA), will protect the officers against aggressive suspects, and will prevent suspects from spitting at the officers. The same has been done behind the rear seat, to prevent the suspect from reaching the luggage space. In that luggage space, the Pantera has space to store the standard police equipment (e.g. a first aid kit, a broom, a shovel, traffic cones, blankets, radar (radar gun/speed gun), and a breath examination system), as well as an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). A tire deflation device (Stinger) is also part of the standard equipment.

To provide extra safety to the police officers during high-risk patrols, the vehicle has been slightly uparmoured, mainly the glass and front doors. The windows have been made out of two layers of aluminium oxynitride, with a 5mm thick epoxy layer to prevent the window from shattering. This will protect the occupants against 9x19mm gunfire and will severely slow down 7.62x39mm gunfire. In the doors, Two armoured plates have been installed. The Front plate is made out of 2.5mm WTVA (Wolfram-Titanium Vehicle Alloy) 23. The gap between the two plates is 5mm. Then, the Back-plate is made out of hardened, rubber-encased, perforated ceramic plate (8mm thickness) with an epoxy-coated kevlar spall backing (2mm). In total, the armour is 17.5mm thick and should theoretically protect against 7.62x39mm gunfire from a distance of 100 metres. The weight of this armouring is around 100 kilograms per door. Furthermore, the radiator has been reinforced to be protected against gunfire, a self-sealing fuel tank has been installed and the vehicles stand on runflat tyres.

To make sure the vehicle can maintain it’s speed with the added weight of all new police equipment, Monteluci’s SFS department was put to work on the Duca’s engines, and has modified these engines with new performance air filters, a new performance exhaust, an ECU remap and tweaks to the turbochargers (if applicable). The SFS team has measured power increases of around 15-40 horsepower all across the line, meaning the vehicles can keep their previous performance. For engine specifications, please refer to the Monteluci Duca sales brochure.

Next to the engine modifications, several other changes have been made under the hood: The Duca is equipped with a more powerful alternator and a second battery, that will provide electricity to all auxiliary extras, the radiator and gearbox cooling have been increased in capacity, and the vehicle can run stationary without the key in the ignition (runlock module), so the vehicle can charge it’s batteries while on scene. Inside the vehicle, most of the options have been retained, save for the panorama roof and rear sunblinds. The leather upholstery has been kept, because of the fact that leather is often easier to clean and maintain than regular cloth upholstery.

Despite the fact that the Pantera has many new technologies implemented, the extra price for such a police version is just $7500 over the standard price of a vehicle: this is mainly due to the industrial scale the vehicle is produced on, but also the fact that Monteluci has cut their profits on this vehicle to nearly zero, to provide a better deal for the beloved Autobahnpolizei. The first Panteras will be delivered in May 2009.

The Duca Pantera is available for (limited) foreign export. Monteluci, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Van Luxemburger Intelligence and Security Service (IVD), will decide on the sale of these highly sophisticated law enforcement vehicles on a case-by-case basis. Nations who are known to the IVD as having an unfavourable government, a negative civil rights record or other conditions that could affect sales of law enforcement equipment, will be refused the sale of these vehicles.

MONTELUCI DUCA Pantera - Prices

Monteluci Duca Pantera 1.8 Biturbo $39,490
Monteluci Duca Pantera 2.0 Turbo $47,300
Monteluci Duca Pantera 3.2 V6 $47,210
Monteluci Duca Pantera 3.2 V6 Biturbo $54,000
Monteluci Duca Pantera V8 SFS $97,500

Monteluci Duca Pantera 1.2 BMD EcoDrive $38,300
Monteluci Duca Pantera 1.8 BMD 180 $40,000
Monteluci Duca Pantera 2.0 BMD 210 $44,000
Monteluci Duca Pantera 2.4 5C BMD 260 $48,600
Monteluci Duca Pantera 3.2 V6 BMD 310 $53,450

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:43 am

Monteluci launches Duca E: Armoured escort vehicle for VIP’s.

VENEZIA – Monteluci will soon start with the delivery of the Duca ‘E’ to multiple government institutions on the domestic and foreign markets. The Duca ‘E’ is an uparmoured version dedicated to escort tasks in VIP transports. It was jointly developed with the Russkyan company Kolma OBORFAB, under guidance of the Taganrog Institute.

The Duca E is a heavily modified Duca 3.2 BMD, of which the engine has been chiptuned, and a performance exhaust system has been installed, so the engine can achieve a maximum power rating of 350 PS. A second option is offered in the form of a modified Monteluci V8, known from the Duca SFS. The 400 PS engine has been equipped with a Biturbo system, a performance exhaust, while it has been chiptuned, and can now develop some 560 PS. The vehicle weighs 2500 kg in dry weight, and can carry an additional 600 kg’s in payload

The chassis, coachwork, brakes, engine and suspension all have been severely modified to withstand the increased weight and stresses put on a vehicle produced for escort duties. Due to the weight of the Duca E, the adaptive suspension has been modified to improve roadholding ability. The Duca E is assembled in a special department of the Moiano factory grounds, handbuilt by the best experts available. The advantages of the complete construction of the car is the advanced integration of the armouring in the design of the Duca.

The rear seats have been constructed in such a way that they can recline and jack-knife towards the rear seat passenger. This allows the rear seat passenger to comfortably take up a shooting position from the window. Furthermore, the vehicle has dedicated storage spaces for weaponry such as the Heckler & Koch MP-5K.

Defensive Systems:
The Duca-E and Duca-VIP, as produced by Monteluci's Moiano factory, incorporates a number of survivability measures developed by the Taganrog Institute and Tanovgorod Arsenal. These components are manufactured by Kolma OBORFAB.

Beginning with the basics, the vehicle is painted with a five millimetre (5mm) thick coating of OVR fireproof paint. This provides protection against open flame and incendiary devices such as the umbiquitous napalm and white phosphorous, at temperatures up to 1800°C for as much as thirty minutes. This coating helps to protect the vehicle from the famous "Molotov Cocktail," which could easily be used by crowds of protestors or aggressors making attempt on the vehicle and its occupants.

Specially developed Pirelli tyres are fitted to the Duca Escort and the Duca VIP. These are run-flat-capable kevlar reinforced tyres proofed against common handgun and submachinegun calibres ranging from 9x18mm to .45ACP. A side benefit of the reinforced tyres is that when inflated at low pressures, the vehicle is more able to cross soft terrain such as sand. Combined with the fifteen centimetre (15cm) ground clearance, the Duca Escort and Duca VIP are provided with a measure of off-road or rough-road capability.

A combination electronic countermeasure and electromagnetic protection system (ECM/EMP) provides protection against mines and explosive devices equipped with magnetic fuzes. The electronic countermeasures consist of a radio signal detector and the MRKS-32 all-frequencies local area jammer coupled to a defensive systems computer. The signal detector operates independently of the radio jammer and exists only to warn security personnel of abnormal radio signals. The jammer and detector operate on the LF, MF, HF, VHF, and UHF frequency bands. The computer can be programmed to allow or prohibit certain frequencies so as to allow the reception of local radio stations on the AM/FM bands, the communications equipment of the security personnel, and so on. The local area jammer creates an oblong safe zone measuring twenty-five meters (25m) to the sides and forty metres (40m) to the front and rear of the vehicle, in which no radio/cellular telephone signals can be received. This prohibits the use of most command-detonated explosive devices.

The electromagnetic protection component of the ECM/EMP system generates a large circular magnetic field around the vehicle, out to thirty meters (30m). This convinces magnetically-fuzed explosives that the vehicle is within the blast radius and causes a premature detonation of the explosive. As the vehicle draws nearer to the munition, the field increases in intensity, to a maximum of four times the vehicle's actual magnetic signature at a distance of ten meters from the vehicle.

Finally, the Duca-E and Duca VIP can be fitted with a visible-spectrum high intensity continuous wave "dazzling" laser. When activated, the roof-mounted emitter sweeps the wide-beam laser around the vehicle at seven thousand rotations per minute to cause damage to aggressors observing the vehicle via the unaided eye or from behind optics, such as a weapon sight. Tests show foveolar burning is a common effect of exposure to the defensive laser and care should be exercised in its use. To protect the occupants of the Duca Escort and VIP, the windshields are tinted with an anti-dazzle reflective material, not particularly dissimilar to a two-way mirror. The anti-dazzle coating comes standard, while the optional laser is an additional $160,000.

Armour Protection:
In order to provide optimal protection for the Duca E and Duca VIP, a careful choice of materials was a necessity. The Taganrog Institute determined that protection against kinetic energy (KE) threats would be the priority, as no vehicle of this type could be built to survive a chemical energy (CE) attack which could be expected to include, at minimum, the ubiquitous PG-7 or PG-7V rocket.

Armoured bulkheads separate the boot from the passenger compartment and supplement the firewall which separates the engine compartment from the passenger spaces. These bulkheads make use of a high hardness steel plate 10mm thick, backed by a 30mm thick carbon-chromium-molybdenum perforated plate encased in hardened rubber. The perforated plate is then backed with 5mm of ductile steel and a 10mm kevlar liner. The overall thickness of the armour scheme is 55mm and provides multiple impact protection against threats up to 15.5x115mm from any range. Further protection for the engine is provided by 30mm thick panels (5mm high hardness steel face-plate, 20mm perforated tungsten-molybdenum plate encased in ductile steel, backed with 2.5mm of kevlar provided with a 2.5mm thick epoxy coating) applied to the hood, side-panels, and behind the bumper. Air intakes and vents cannot be armoured.

100mm of space was allocated to the designers of the armour package at the Taganrog Institute. A 5mm hardened steel plate is spaced 15mm from the primary armour package. The armour package consists of a 40mm thick tungsten-molybdenum-chromium perforated plate (mesh) encased in hardened rubber for ease of handling. 5mm of kevlar coated in 2.5mm of epoxy backs this, to which a 10mm ductile steel plate is installed. A synthetic spall liner (15mm thickness) completes the armour package. The total armour package, including void space, is 92.5mm thick. Perforated plate (mesh) provides multiple impact resistance as any cracks caused in the plate will terminate at the nearest perforation. Perforations in the plates used on the Duca Escort and Duca VIP are 6.5mm in diameter.

Underside protection is provided by a V123 HF titanium-vanadium-aluminium plate, shaped to create a very shallow V. At its maximum depth, the distance between the apex of the formed plate and the ground is 15cm. This assists in deflecting any underside blast, though the limited angle available due to the dimension restrictions means that it will be less effective than comparable plating on a combat vehicle such as the R-18ISC. Ballistic plastics backed by a ballistic fabric (synthetic-lined kevlar) prevent spalling of the V123 HF TVA plate into the transmission and other drivetrain components. Windows are manufactured of Aluminium Oxynitride (AlON).
Tyres are designed to fly clear of the axle when they are struck by the force of an exploding landmine. This reduces transmitted shock to drivetrain components and makes it easier to repair the vehicle in the field. When half-filled with water, the tyres can further reduce the effects of landmine blast. This principle of protection is widely used in the Russkyan military.

Overhead protection is provided by the armoured roof. In order to accomodate the 'dazzler' without compromising overall protection, the centreline of the roof inside the passenger compartment drops down over the center console. The roof armour package consists of V123 HF titanium alloy plate (10mm) covering a series of 10mm thick boron-carbide ballistic ceramic tiles encased in five millimetres of ductile steel. This is backed with 10mm of epoxy-coated kevlar. The entire armour array has a line of sight thickness of 35mm and protects against 15.5x115mm fire. Protective effect is enhanced by certain operational considerations; engagement of the plate at a perpendicular angle is not possible as that would require being directly above the vehicle to fire down onto the roof. Therefore, any engagement of the overhead armour protection will occur at an oblique angle, allowing the "sloped armour effect" to assist in countering the projectile.

The Duca ‘E’ is costly, at a price of $300,000 USD. Monteluci however thinks that it is worth it for a vehicle that can protect VIP transports, while also being able to defend it’s passengers to the fullest degree. A variant to the Duca ‘E’ is the ‘VIP’, a somewhat lengthened Duca (+40cm) which can serve the role of VIP vehicle, as it offers more legroom and the features of the ‘E’ version, while also offering space for up to 4, or even 6 passengers (including the driver). In this version, the rear seat centre console is used for more comfort for the rear passengers, while fold-up seats mounted to the back of the front seats offer space for more guards, if required. These folding seats can also be used as footrests for the rear seat passengers, if required. The price for the Duca ‘VIP’ is $340,000. The extra price for the visual-band dazzling laser is $160,000.

Duca ‘E’, 3.2 V6 BMD

Type: Monteluci 6-cilinder, cast aluminium, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts.
Displacement: 3.187 cm3
Compression: 17.3:1

Common-Rail Technology: Biturbocharger (Monteluci MT15), Chiptuning

Power output: 350 PS at 4.000 rpm
Maximum torque: 700 Nm at 1.900 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 4, 4D

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 9.4 seconds
Top speed: 220 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 8,0 l / 100 km
Combined: 9,8l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Diesel

Fuel capacity: 70 litres, plus 10 litres reserve
Dry weight: 2450 kg
Max Payload: 500 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2000 Kg

Turning circle: 11.2 metres
Gearbox: Monteluci 7-speed Semi-Automatic Gearbox (mod.)

Duca ‘VIP’, 3.2 V6 BMD

Type: Monteluci 6-cilinder, cast aluminium, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts.
Displacement: 3.187 cm3
Compression: 17.3:1

Common-Rail Technology: Biturbocharger (Monteluci MT15) , Chiptuning

Power output: 350 PS at 4.000 rpm
Maximum torque: 700 Nm at 1.900 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 4, 4D

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 9.9 seconds
Top speed: 210 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 8,5 l / 100 km
Combined: 10,3l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Diesel

Fuel capacity: 70 litres, plus 10 litres reserve
Dry weight: 2750 kg
Max Payload: 500 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2000 Kg

Turning circle: 11.6 metres
Gearbox: Monteluci 7-speed Semi-Automatic Gearbox (mod.)

Duca ‘E’, V8 Biturbo

Type: Maserati/Monteluci 8-cilinder, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts.
Displacement: 4.244 cm3
Compression: 9.3:1

Direct Fuel Injection, Biturbocharger (Monteluci MT15), Chiptuning

Power output: 560 PS at 5.600 rpm
Maximum torque: 710 Nm at 2.200 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 4, 4D

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 8.5 seconds
Top speed: 235 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 12,1 l / 100 km
Combined: 14,1l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Super RON98

Fuel capacity: 70 litres, plus 10 litres reserve
Dry weight: 2480 kg
Max Payload: 500 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2000 Kg

Turning circle: 11.2 metres
Gearbox: Monteluci 7-speed Semi-Automatic Gearbox (mod.)

Duca ‘VIP’, V8 Biturbo

Type: Maserati/Monteluci 8-cilinder, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts.
Displacement: 4.244 cm3
Compression: 9.3:1

Direct Fuel Injection, Biturbocharger (Monteluci MT15), Chiptuning

Power output: 560 PS at 5.600 rpm
Maximum torque: 710 Nm at 2.200 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 4, 4D
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 9 seconds
Top speed: 220 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 12,2 l / 100 km
Combined: 14,3l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Super RON98

Fuel capacity: 70 litres, plus 10 litres reserve
Dry weight: 2780 kg
Max Payload: 500 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2000 Kg

Turning circle: 11.6 metres
Gearbox: Monteluci 7-speed Semi-Automatic Gearbox (mod.)

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:50 am

VENEZIA – Monteluci presents the Ducareale. The luxury sports saloon can compete with the finest of cars that are currently in production throughout the world: It will join the illustrious line of luxury vehicles Monteluci has produced in it’s 101-year history. Passione per gli Automobili in the best way.

Following the recent success of the D-segment Duca, Monteluci was faced with the task to develop a new automobile, nicknamed ‘Progetto Minerva’. It would be a luxury machine, combined with the sportive aspirations that make the Duca. No less than 5 new engines were developed, including one ecologically-sound EcoDrive version. The top-of-the-range V12 SFS will have a world-first: Mass-produced carbon-ceramic brakes will be standard on this vehicle. Next to this, a revolutionary suspension system will be standard on the Ducareale. Once again, an armoured VIP version will become available, especially suited for heads of state and captains of industry around the world.

Revolutionary suspension system

The Ducareale called for the design of a completely new platform, which was designed with top-of-the-line sportivity and unparalleled comfort in mind. Soon, Monteluci engineers realised the current suspension systems were unsatisfactory for the Ducareale. Sospensione Elettromagnetici Versione 1(Short: SEM1) was the result of this: It uses the traditional shock-and-spring setup, but the engineers added a Linear Electromagnetic Motor (Motore Lineare Elettromagnetici), which can extend and compress at much greater speed than conventional fluid-based dampers, since they are not limited to the natural inertia of these dampers. This whole system is supplied by an amplifier, which regenerates power from each time the suspension compresses. This makes the system tremendously power efficient, and makes driving both comfortable and sportive, by rapid reactions made to counter bumps and holes in the road surface. This keeps the vehicle completely straight and stable at all times, up to the level the individual owner desires.

The advantage of this computerised system is not only the rapid reaction to the road surface: the system can be programmed to the individual needs of the customer, if required. This can be done by every official Monteluci dealership, simply by modifying several parameters with a special computer system. The system can be used to match several suspension setups used by cars all around the world, ranging from the Lotus Elise to the Rolls-Royce Phantom. In the unlikely case the system would fail, it can return to a default suspension setting.

New engines: the heart renewed

For the Ducareale, Monteluci developed no less than 5 new engines for the demanding customer. The car is available with 4 Petrol engines and 3 Diesel-powered ones, ranging in power from 180 PS to a staggering 650 PS.

The EcoDrive version is powered by the 1.8 BMD engine known from the Duca, delivering 180 horsepower. With several adaptations, such as increased streamlining, lowering and lightening the car, and has an ‘eco’ equipment setting like on the Duca EcoDrive. With these modifications, it will only consume 1 litre of diesel fuel per 19 kilometres, which is unheard of for vehicles of this size.

Furthermore, Monteluci offers an atmospheric 4-litre V8 petrol engine, known from the Duca SFS, developing 400 horsepower. A 4.7 V8 is also offered, being a modified 4-litre engine, now developing 470 PS. The same engine has been equipped with the highly advanced Biturbo technology from the Duca, boosting power up to 550 PS.

Next to this, the Ducareale has two other diesel-fuelled engines, being a 4-litre V8 diesel engine developing 390 horsepower, and the top-of-the-range Diesel, the 5.2-litre V10 engine producing a massive 510 horsepower.

However, the top-of-the-range model is the V12 SFS, a 6.5-litre beast already known from the Lepanto supercars, delivering a staggering 650 horsepower to the rear wheels. Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard on the SFS, and the car has been lowered to reduce drag. Furthermore, a small deployable spoiler has been added for extra downforce, and a subtle bodykit underlines the sportivity of this vehicle.

Standard equipment

The Ducareale is one of the most complete vehicles available on the F-segment market, coming standard with a satellite navigation system, including a 3D view parking camera that can park automatically, if required. Next to this, it has a radar-controlled adaptive cruise control, that can operate even in traffic jams, furthermore, it has a Rear Seat Entertainment System with a 10 inch monitor being centrally positioned inbetween the front seats. A large panorama sunroof covers some 80% of the roof, and can be made darker and lighter through an electro chromatic system, which is also used in the car’s mirrors. The rear passengers are blessed with heated and ventilated massage seats, like the front passengers, but can also make use of their own climate control, block out sunlight by window blinds on the rear window and the rear side windows (all electronic), and use pull-down tables to be able to do business while underway (a standard 220V converter is included for the rear passenger seated on the right, Van Luxemburger market only). The rear center console has been equipped with a cooled compartment in which two glasses and a bottle of wine or champagne can be stored. On top of this, another compartment hosts the controls for the electric moving action of the rear two seats, as well as the front passenger seat, allowing the rear seat passengers to set their own legroom.

The passengers all sit on luxurious seats that have been made from the best cows in Van Luxemburg, selected by Monteluci upholstery personnel and living in a field where sharp edges such as barbed wire are completely absent. The center parts of the seats have been made out of punctured quality leather, or, if desired, alcantara center parts. In the back, the boot is spacious and offers around 550 litres of dedicated luggage space, whilst also storing a full spare tire. With the Ducareale, a specially designed luggage set is standard, and was made specifically to exploit the large size and shape of the Ducareale’s luggage compartment.

On the dashboard, no effort has been spared to give the passengers a quality feel. It is covered by high-quality leather that is either coloured in the same tint as the rest of the interior, or dyed in a contrasting colour. The switchgear is made out of real titanium with a chromed decoration ring, and all have only one function: user simplicity. The standard entertainment system aboard the Ducareale is made up out of a single 7 inch touchscreen, with buttons that allow for quick access to certain areas of interest, such as the CD/DVD/Bluray player, radio, car settings or the navigation system. 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. Next to this, the system has a hard drive of 500 gigabytes, allowing the owner to store his favourite music in MP3 format on the car’s hard drive. Interior decoration on the dashboard and doors comes in several exclusive wood, metal and composite material sorts, suitable to everyone’s tastes. As standard, the Ducareale comes with silver interior decorations.

The Ducareale 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.

Meanwhile, the drivers’ cockpit is well-equipped with a heated and ventilated steering wheel finished in leather, that also houses controls for various systems in the car, including the adaptive cruise control and the onboard entertainment. A small colour information screen in the instrument cluster carries standard board computer information, while also allowing the driver to display the latest instructions from the navigation system, or the MP3 he is currently playing. Next to this, the Ducareale sports a Night Vision system with Head-up Display, that is also able to display speed and rev counter, as well as navigation instructions. This allows the driver to keep his eyes focused on the road, while also being able to check vital information. 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. These are all made by the famous Swiss company Jaeger-Lecoultre. 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.

Technical and Exterior equipment

Not only the SFS now has new technology in the form of carbon-ceramic brakes. All Ducareales 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.

The brakes were made with the help of Brembo, and every Ducareale 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 Ducareale’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 Ducareale 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 Ducareale comes standard with 19” wheels, ‘Veloce’ bi-spoke style. An option is the 20” ‘Moiano’ wheel style, offering both a classy and sportive look to your Ducareale. 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,

Safety

The Ducareale 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 Ducareale 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.

Pricing, Guarantee and availability

The Monteluci Ducareale is conveniently priced at prices starting from $75,000 (excluding local taxes) for an EcoDrive version, while one needs to bring $160,000 to take a Ducareale SFS home. The vehicle is remarkably well-equipped, and only several options are available: a 4D Four wheel Drive system is available at the price of $2,200, the 20” ’Moiano’ wheels are installed under a Ducareale at the cost of $1,500, and a factory pick-up, including a driving course at the Moiano track, being priced at $600 for clients located in the Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg, and $2000 for international customers, including an airline ticket and a hotel stay in Venezia. Monteluci maintains a 5-year Guarantee period for the Ducareale, regardless of the kilometres driven. 5 years of guarantee is given on the paint, excluding damages made to it by accidents or parking incidents. Furthermore, Monteluci guarantees that the Ducareale will be devoid of corrosion for the coming 15 years.

The Ducareale is available at every local Monteluci dealership, and every dealership should have a demonstration model available. However, seeing that the Ducareale is an expensive and exclusive vehicle, partially handcrafted in the Monteluci factories, the timespan between order and delivery of a vehicle is at least 3 months.

MONTELUCI DUCAREALE: COLOURS & UPHOLSTERY (LINK!)[/align]

Prices – full list

Monteluci Ducareale 4.0 V8 - $91,100
Monteluci Ducareale 4.7 V8 - $97,650
Monteluci Ducareale V8 Biturbo - $109,500
Monteluci Ducareale V12 Squadra Forze Sportive (SFS) - $160,000

Monteluci Ducareale 1.8 BMD Ecodrive - $75,000
Monteluci Ducareale 4.0 V8 BMD - $87,900
Monteluci Ducareale 5.2 V10 BMD - $111,220

Optional extras
4D Four Wheel Drive - $2,200
20” Moiano-style alloy wheels - $ 1,500
Factory pick-up (including driving course) - $600 (Van Luxemburg) $2000 (International, including airline ticket and hotel stay)

Guarantee

- 5 years overall guarantee
- 5 years on paint damage (excluding paint damage caused by accidents etc.)
- 15 years on corrosion

Servicing

The servicing of a Monteluci Duca depends on the type of engine: Every new car needs to report back to a Monteluci service point after 10.000 km, then followed by minor maintenance and major maintenance servicing.

Minor maintenance
25.000 km or one year, all Diesel models.
Cost indication: 4-cylinder models $210, 8-cylinder models $320, 10-cylinder models $380
20.000 km or one year, all Petrol models (except V8 SFS)
Cost Indication: 8-cylinder models: $320
15.000 km or one year, V12 SFS
Cost indication: $410

Major Maintenance
50.000 km or two years, all Diesel Models
Cost Indication: 4-cylinder models $600, 8-cylinder models $800, 10-cylinder models $900
40.000 km or two years, all Petrol models (except V8 SFS)
Cost Indication: 8-cylinder models $850
30.000 km or two years, V8 SFS
Cost Indication: $1000

Monteluci Individuale assistance programme

Monteluci knows that you can sometimes end up with some problems along the way. That you are not always able to bring your car for maintenance. That you like to experience Monteluci. Therefore, every new Monteluci client gets a 5-year membership of Monteluci Individuale, our service and assistance programme for clients. You get:

- International 24/7 roadside assistance, free of charge.*
- A replacement vehicle if your car is unable to drive on*
- A voucher for the Monteluci Driving School, organised on many international race tracks
- ‘Tappeto Rosso’, Monteluci can pick up & return your vehicle at home for servicing.

*= Only in countries in which Monteluci has dealerships and/or service points.
Progetto Gilberto Monteluci

At Monteluci, we always try to deliver the best quality, and allow the widest choice of quality materials. But what if you can’t find the colour you like on our colour palette? Then you go for the Progetto Gilberto Monteluci. Named after the founder of Monteluci, it is a customization programme that knows no boundaries. Make your own exterior colours, choose your special upholstery colour. Do you prefer a cloth interior, or maybe special sport seats? Please contact our sales agencies for more details and a price quote for your ideas.

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:52 am

DUCAREALE VIP, The ultimate protection underway.

VENEZIA – After the relative success of the Duca ‘E’ and ‘VIP’, Monteluci has made the decision to modify the Ducareale in such a way that it can also be used as an armoured vehicle. The Ducareale is meant for heads of state and captains of industry that desire ultimate protection when underway. It was jointly developed with the Russkyan company Kolma OBORFAB, under guidance of the Taganrog Institute.

The Ducareale VIP makes use of the 4.7 V8 Biturbo engine, that produces 550 PS (Other engines available on request). The chassis, coachwork, brakes, engine and suspension all have been severely modified to withstand the increased weight and stresses put on a vehicle produced for high-level VIP transport. Since the SEM1 system can easily stabilise the vehicle, even at massive weight, the system was left unmodified, and has even been tested with the vehicle driving with only 3 wheels (to simulate one wheel lost to mine damage) The Ducareale VIP is assembled in a special department of the Moiano factory grounds, handbuilt by the best experts available, next to it’s Duca counterparts. The advantages of the complete construction of the car is the advanced integration of the armouring in the design of the Ducareale.

To allow the VIP to carry a security officer on the front passenger seat, the footwell there has been modified to allow a passenger to store a compact assault rifle or submachine gun, such as the Heckler & Koch MP5, Beretta PM12 or SIG SG552.

Defensive Systems:
The Ducareale, as produced by Monteluci's Moiano factory, incorporates a number of survivability measures developed by the Taganrog Institute and Tanovgorod Arsenal. These components are manufactured by Kolma OBORFAB. These are essentially the same as on the Duca E and VIP, as presented earlier.

Beginning with the basics, the vehicle is painted with a five millimetre (5mm) thick coating of OVR fireproof paint. This provides protection against open flame and incendiary devices such as the umbiquitous napalm and white phosphorous, at temperatures up to 1800°C for as much as thirty minutes. This coating helps to protect the vehicle from the famous "Molotov Cocktail," which could easily be used by crowds of protestors or aggressors making attempt on the vehicle and its occupants.

Specially developed Pirelli tyres are fitted to the Ducareale VIP. These are run-flat-capable kevlar reinforced tyres proofed against common handgun and submachinegun calibres ranging from 9x18mm to .45ACP. A side benefit of the reinforced tyres is that when inflated at low pressures, the vehicle is more able to cross soft terrain such as sand. Combined with the fifteen centimetre (15cm) ground clearance, the Ducareale VIP are provided with a measure of off-road or rough-road capability.

A combination electronic countermeasure and electromagnetic protection system (ECM/EMP) provides protection against mines and explosive devices equipped with magnetic fuzes. The electronic countermeasures consist of a radio signal detector and the MRKS-32 all-frequencies local area jammer coupled to a defensive systems computer. The signal detector operates independently of the radio jammer and exists only to warn security personnel of abnormal radio signals. The jammer and detector operate on the LF, MF, HF, VHF, and UHF frequency bands. The computer can be programmed to allow or prohibit certain frequencies so as to allow the reception of local radio stations on the AM/FM bands, the communications equipment of the security personnel, and so on. The local area jammer creates an oblong safe zone measuring twenty-five meters (25m) to the sides and forty metres (40m) to the front and rear of the vehicle, in which no radio/cellular telephone signals can be received. This prohibits the use of most command-detonated explosive devices.

The electromagnetic protection component of the ECM/EMP system generates a large circular magnetic field around the vehicle, out to thirty meters (30m). This convinces magnetically-fuzed explosives that the vehicle is within the blast radius and causes a premature detonation of the explosive. As the vehicle draws nearer to the munition, the field increases in intensity, to a maximum of four times the vehicle's actual magnetic signature at a distance of ten meters from the vehicle. To protect the occupants of the Ducareale VIP from the dazzling laser used on the Duca E and VIP versions, the windshields are tinted with an anti-dazzle reflective material, not particularly dissimilar to a two-way mirror

Armour Protection:
In order to provide optimal protection for the Ducareale VIP, a careful choice of materials was a necessity. The Taganrog Institute determined that protection against kinetic energy (KE) threats would be the priority, as no vehicle of this type could be built to survive a chemical energy (CE) attack which could be expected to include, at minimum, the ubiquitous PG-7 or PG-7V rocket.

Armoured bulkheads separate the boot from the passenger compartment and supplement the firewall which separates the engine compartment from the passenger spaces. These bulkheads make use of a high hardness steel plate 10mm thick, backed by a 30mm thick carbon-chromium-molybdenum perforated plate encased in hardened rubber. The perforated plate is then backed with 5mm of ductile steel and a 10mm kevlar liner. The overall thickness of the armour scheme is 55mm and provides multiple impact protection against threats up to 15.5x115mm from any range. Further protection for the engine is provided by 30mm thick panels (5mm high hardness steel face-plate, 20mm perforated tungsten-molybdenum plate encased in ductile steel, backed with 2.5mm of kevlar provided with a 2.5mm thick epoxy coating) applied to the hood, side-panels, and behind the bumper. Air intakes and vents cannot be armoured.

100mm of space was allocated to the designers of the armour package at the Taganrog Institute. A 5mm hardened steel plate is spaced 15mm from the primary armour package. The armour package consists of a 40mm thick tungsten-molybdenum-chromium perforated plate (mesh) encased in hardened rubber for ease of handling. 5mm of kevlar coated in 2.5mm of epoxy backs this, to which a 10mm ductile steel plate is installed. A synthetic spall liner (15mm thickness) completes the armour package. The total armour package, including void space, is 92.5mm thick. Perforated plate (mesh) provides multiple impact resistance as any cracks caused in the plate will terminate at the nearest perforation. Perforations in the plates used on the Ducareale VIP are 6.5mm in diameter.

Underside protection is provided by a V123 HF titanium-vanadium-aluminium plate, shaped to create a very shallow V. At its maximum depth, the distance between the apex of the formed plate and the ground is 15cm. This assists in deflecting any underside blast, though the limited angle available due to the dimension restrictions means that it will be less effective than comparable plating on a combat vehicle such as the R-18ISC. Ballistic plastics backed by a ballistic fabric (synthetic-lined kevlar) prevent spalling of the V123 HF TVA plate into the transmission and other drivetrain components. Windows are manufactured of Aluminium Oxynitride (AlON).
Tyres are designed to fly clear of the axle when they are struck by the force of an exploding landmine. This reduces transmitted shock to drivetrain components and makes it easier to repair the vehicle in the field. When half-filled with water, the tyres can further reduce the effects of landmine blast. This principle of protection is widely used in the Russkyan military.

Overhead protection is provided by the armoured roof. The roof armour package consists of V123 HF titanium alloy plate (10mm) covering a series of 10mm thick boron-carbide ballistic ceramic tiles encased in five millimetres of ductile steel. This is backed with 10mm of epoxy-coated kevlar. The entire armour array has a line of sight thickness of 35mm and protects against 15.5x115mm fire. Protective effect is enhanced by certain operational considerations; engagement of the plate at a perpendicular angle is not possible as that would require being directly above the vehicle to fire down onto the roof. Therefore, any engagement of the overhead armour protection will occur at an oblique angle, allowing the "sloped armour effect" to assist in countering the projectile.

The Ducareale ‘VIP’ is costly, at a price of $600,000 USD. Monteluci however thinks that it is worth it for a vehicle that can protect VIPs even in the most extreme situations, while also being able to defend it’s passengers to the fullest degree. A variant to the Ducareale ‘VIP’ is the ‘VIP L’, a somewhat lengthened Duca (+50cm) which can serve the role of an extended VIP vehicle, as it offers more legroom and the features of the normal ‘VIP’ version, while also offering space for up to 4, or even 6 passengers (including the driver). In this version, fold-up seats mounted to the back of the front seats offer space for more guards, if required. These folding seats can also be used as footrests for the rear seat passengers, if required. The price for the Duca ‘VIP L’ is $640,000.

Monteluci Ducareale 4.7 V8 Biturbo

Type: Monteluci 8-cilinder, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts.
Displacement: 4.697 cm3
Compression: 11.0:1

Direct fuel injection. Biturbochargers (Monteluci MT17)

Power output: 550 PS at 5.900 rpm
Maximum torque: 610 Nm at 3780 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 2 (Rear).

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 7.1 seconds
Top speed: 251 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 14,9 l / 100 km
Combined: 21,2l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Super RON98

Fuel capacity: 100 litres
Dry weight: 3872 kg
Max Payload: 500 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2100 Kg

Turning circle: 12.1 metres
Gearbox: Monteluci 7-speed Semi-Automatic Gearbox

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:54 am

Lepanto 650 Moiano: A Gentlemen's Supercar

Lepanto: Technological Strength through Beauty

Officially, Lepanto says that they do not focus on technological breakthroughs or supremacy in terms of speed anymore. What they want to is offer the driver a sense of being perfect, in a vehicle full of craftsmanship, indulged in seas of heritage. But, nowadays, it could well be they are starting to follow the latest trends again. With the 650 Moiano.

The Lepanto workshops are located in the ‘dry’ part of Venezia, on the Via Lepanto. It is an old, impressive building, where garage doors are unknown: the cars are rolled out of a wide double door next to the main entrance. Inside, the walls are not only filled with tools, but also with posters, paintings and objects that have to do with the impressive history of the 114-year old brand. Placed on an automobile lift, a Lepanto 650 Moiano is the centrepiece of this scene, it’s nose with the Lepanto logo pointing forward aggressively. As it is offloaded from the lift, the engine is started to slowly roll outside, where we can take over. The vehicle produces a deep growl, but when the engine revs, the growl changes into a high howling sound, which can send shivers down one’s spine.

Our destination today is the track of Moiano, after which this car was named. We are escorted by Giancarlo Moretti, head of the Lepanto garage in Venezia. He has been one of the key figures in the development of the 650, and therefore can tell us everything about the vehicle. ‘It was developed together with some experts from Monteluci, and we could also borrow their test track at Moiano. It is like back in the sixties, when Monteluci and Lepanto also cooperated. I guess VLT tries to bring back memories nowadays. We named the car Moiano to commemorate both the cooperation between the two Venezian brands in the sixties, aswell as thank Monteluci for the use of their test track. We will however also utilise it in the future, for development and training matters.’

The 6-litre V12 was mostly designed by Lepanto, but Moretti has also told us that we can expect that the base of this engine will also be used in future Monteluci’s. Sadly, he didn’t specify which ones, but our bets are currently on the Ducareale, which should be able to complement the VLT L7 in the top class. The V12 develops 650 horsepower, and is a naturally aspirated engine. ‘The use of turbochargers would be blasphemy for most customers in Van Luxemburg, so we have left it this way. The chance Lepanto will use turbocharger sin the future is minuscule’, according to Moretti.

The Moiano is completely handcrafted. Built by the best specialists that were trained within the confines of the Lepanto facility, the new Lepanto is said to set the standard for the next models of the brand. The factory builds about one vehicle per week, and can by far not meet the estimated production of 200 cars per year. ‘It’s more like 35 per year. But that way we can ensure there’s not a thing wrong with the car.’ Moretti says. And indeed, there’s nothing wrong with it, we cannot even find a stitch wrong in the vehicle. ‘We take a whole day for quality checks, and when the owner arrives to pick it up, we can always correct some things the owner wants. Ofcourse, the last-minute adjustments to the suspension can be made when the owner thinks they’re required. We expect that that possibility will only be used sporadically, but anything is possible here.’

Even while the vehicle is not adjusted to our personal wishes (since that is only for customers), the vehicle performed excellently on the track. While we try to ease on the corners, the Moiano has got an everlasting acceleration, and that, combined with the perfect suspension that can steer through the bends without a hitch, the vehicle seems to have the same speed as a UFO from outer space. With the throttle controlling a hyperdrive. The high howl of the 6-litre V12 rings out all over the track while the 650 accelerates and accelerates, reaching speeds of up to 280 km/h on the banked part of the track, we didn’t feel the need to push the needle of the speedometer any further, but even at that speed, the vehicle remained rock-steady, and only the sound of the vehicle reminded oneself of how fast he was driving.

Of course, one can place a few side notes at this vehicle: The price for this 650-HP V12 F430-and-599-GTB-beater is ridiculous, starting at around $500,000 USD. This $300,000 increase in price over an F430 Scuderia cannot even be justified by the quality and power of the vehicle. The exclusivity of this vehicle might also become a problem: with only two official dealerships in Van Luxemburg, supposed to sell to the whole world, most of the vehicle will probably remain in Van Luxemburg, even when Lepanto has a pick-up-and-return service for their vehicles abroad.

What we conclude from this first drive? The Lepanto is an excellent sportscar, maybe even supersportscar. But the high price and limited amount of retailers make it a bit prohibitive for the average millionaire.

Pro
- Excellent driving dynamics, great engine
- Great quality
- Perfect customer service

Con
- High price
- Limited amount of retailers

Vehicle Price: $512,780

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:56 am

VLT Alzette

With the Alzette, VLT fills the gap between the relatively cheap Roadster and the extremely exclusive and equally expensive Lepanto 650. Project ‘Alzette’, as it was called in it’s earlier years, shall be semi-handbuilt on a production line in Esch-sur-Alzette, and be retailed and serviced through the VLT Sales Network.

VLT used a modified 4.4 litre V8 for the ‘Alzette Project’. The V8 from the L5 GT was placed amidships in the sportscar, in a transverse position. The gearbox was mounted up-front to improve the weigh distribution to a near-perfect 49/51. The V8 itself was further improved by modifying the ECU and perfecting the inlet and exhaust trajectories.

The design was made by the VLT Design Center, in cooperation with the independent Brandt Studios, making it a bit different from the usual VLT design. The chassis was developed with assistance from Lepanto, to ensure it would have the desired road holding capabilities. The vehicle was kept as light as possible, with extensive use of carbon fibre, plastics, aluminium and titanium. All unnecessary luxuries have been left out, and the vehicle has been aerodynamically optimized so that it produces enough downforce to leave out a rear spoiler.

Inside, the vehicle will have the least possible amount of technology installed, to purify the driving experience delivered by the Alzette. Even though ABS and ESP are standard on the Alzette, they can be completely turned off by a simple push of a button. The chassis is simple, and made up out of independent front and rear suspension, with double wishbones. The Brembo ceramic brakes can stop the car in mere meters.

VLT Alzette ..... $124,000

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:01 am

Roadster

The Roadster is a small and agile convertible mid-engined sportscar, equipped with a supercharged, 210 HP 2 litre 4-cilinder engine.

Roadster…….$25.781

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:03 am

VLT L2

After having been on the market for several years, the L2 was in dire need of a complete touch up, that would make the former smallest model in VLT’s inventory ready for the coming future.

Like every new small VLT model currently being launched, the TCi technology is available on every engine. The range starts with a 1-litre TCi providing 100 horsepower, a second version of the same engine providing 120 horsepower, a 1.4 TCi with 160 horsepower, and a range-topping 1.4 TCi with 200 horsepower, being the GT model. The TCi technology is innovative: it has a Stationary Shutdown System (3S), that automatically turns off the engine when standing at, for example, a red light. The engine starts again when pressure is applied on the accelerator pedal. Next to this, it has variable valve timing and a variable compression. This means that the engine can run at extremely high, Diesel-like efficiency levels, while still delivering maximum power to the driver. To increase power from a smaller displacement, a turbocharger and a supercharger were used to work together: the supercharger will mainly operate at low speeds to deliver horsepower and torque, and the turbocharger will take over above 2,500 rpm. If necessary, both can be used to force air into the engine when maximum power is required, for example during acceleration or on high (200+) Autobahn speeds. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to increase the engine’s power by a CPU modification, due to the use of turbo- and superchargers. In terms of diesel engines, a 1.3 CD with 95 horsepower is available, as well as a 1.6 CD with both 120 and 140 horsepower. The most powerful diesel will be the 2.0 CD with 160 horsepower. These engines use common-rail direct injection, making them extremely powerful and fuel efficient at the same time. Due to the advanced characteristics of the engine, the

Optional on the GT model will be VLT’s TCG gearbox, which uses two clutches in order to allow the system to shift within 6 milliseconds, since it ‘lines up’ the next gear before shifting, making use of the second clutch. If necessary, the system can also be configured to work in automatic mode by the simple pressing of a button.

The L2 can be delivered with full-mode four-wheel drive, using Torsen differentials, as an option. This L2 ‘Cross’ has a somewhat increased ground clearance, and is delivered with off-road tyres. A dynamic terrain response system determines if power is sent to the rear wheels when the front wheels lose grip. In normal road use, however, only the front wheels are driven. The 4WD system also has the option to be set to permanent 2WD or to ‘lock’ the differentials, giving each wheel 25% of the power at any time. This is however only of use in difficult terrain, as driving an L2 with all differentials locked in normal conditions would be similar to driving a bus.

The L2 can facilitate the seating of five persons, who enjoy the luxury of fully automated airconditioning, a stereo system that has a 120 GB hard drive and can play nearly all digital music standards. A full-map 16:9 navigation with 6-inch touchscreen is available as an option. This GPS navigation system comes with a digital TV tuner as standard, in order to watch TV while the car is not moving.

L2 1.0 TCi 100	$12,600
L2 1.0 TCi 120	$13,400
L2 1.4 TCi 160	$14,750
L2 1.4 TCi GT	$21,100
L2 1.3 CD 95	$11,950
L2 1.6 CD 120	$13,950
L2 1.6 CD 140	$14,500
L2 2.0 CD 160	$16,100
5-door	+$500
Cross 4WD (only on 1.4 TCi, 1.6CD)	+$1100

Options

Navigation System - 16:9 touchscreen monitor with DVD and digital TV (DVB-T) support	$1150
6-speed TCG automatic gearbox (only on GT)	$2500
GT Sports Aerodynamic package incl. Sports Suspension, sport seats, GT bodywork, carbon interior finish (standard on GT)	$3100
Sunroof with sliding and tilt function, electric adjustment	$600
Solar cells in sunroof, Auxiliary Power (can only be combined with the sunroof option)	$185
Leather upholstery	$1600

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:04 am

VLT L3: the new small car.

Introduced in Esch-sur-Alzette in early 2009, the new VLT L3 is the car with the most experience of all: the name has been used for over 60 years, and will go into it’s 8th generation this year, with over 500 million examples built. The new generation VLT L3’s are equipped with fuel-efficient variable compression rate turbocharged engines and twin-clutch gearboxes, making them the greenest and quickest L3 to date.

The L3 is now equipped with the new VLT Group TCi engine technology, which are the greenest and most powerful petrol engines to ever feature in a VLT, with 1.0-2 litre engines developing 80-280 horsepower. More innovative developments have been included in the engine’s technology: it has a Stationary Shutdown System (3S), that automatically turns off the engine when standing at, for example, a red light. The engine starts again when pressure is applied on the accelerator pedal. Next to this, it has variable valve timing and a variable compression. This means that the engine can run at extremely high, Diesel-like efficiency levels, while still delivering maximum power to the driver. To increase power from a smaller displacement, a turbocharger and a supercharger were used to work together: the supercharger will mainly operate at low speeds to deliver horsepower and torque, and the turbocharger will take over above 2,500 rpm. If necessary, both can be used to force air into the engine when maximum power is required, for example during acceleration or on high (200+) Autobahn speeds. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to increase the engine’s power by a CPU modification, due to the use of turbo- and superchargers.

The Twin-Clutch Gearbox (TCG) makes use of two clutches instead of one. This allows the system to shift within 6 milliseconds, since it ‘lines up’ the next gear before shifting, making use of the second clutch. If necessary, the system can also be configured to work in automatic mode by the simple pressing of a button.

Inside the L3, a satellite navigation system is integrated in the instrument cluster, stretching into the center console. The interior was designed using high quality components, and offer a soft touch feel with elegant looks. A sliding sunroof has been included in the standard equipment, but also features solar panels that can allow the vehicle to preheat itself while the engine is not running. This can be very useful when the vehicle is parked outside, since it can cool the interior in summer, and heat it in winter. Next to this, several electric heating elements keep the engine heated and also prevents the windows from freezing over.

The VLT L3 is available from a price of $22,100, only marginally more expensive than the previous model. It can be ordered from all VLT dealerships after the 1st of March.

L3 1.0 TCi E-motion	$22,100
L3 1.4 TCi 160	$24,900
L3 1.4 TCi 200	$26,800
L3 2.0 TCi GT	$32,000
L3 1.6 CD 120	$23,500
L3 2.0 CD 160	$25,950
L3 2.0 CD 200	$30,000
Saloon:	+$550
Stationwagon:	+$1000

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:08 am

VLT L4 Convertible

The L4 can be delivered in 2 versions; a Coupé and a Convertible. The convertible, which is showcased here, is equipped with a soft top which can fold down in 20 seconds. The roof folds up and down electrically.

Main Competitors: Audi A4 Convertible, BMW 3-series Convertible, Alfa Spider

2.0 Turbo ..... $34.215
3.5 V6 ......... $41.058
GT 4.4 V8 .... $75.438
3.0 CD ......... $33.516
4.4 CD ......... $40.998

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:09 am

VLT L4 Coupé

The L4 will be introduced in 2 completely different flavours: a Coupé and a Convertible, of which the styling was done completely independent frome eachother.

Main Competitors: Audi TT, Alfa Romeo Brera, BMW 3-series Coupé

2.0 Turbo ....... $32.107
3.5 V6 ........... $39.133
GT 4.4 V8 ...... $73.781
3.0 CD ........... $31.612
4.0 CD ........... $38.881

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:11 am

VLT L5

The new VLT L5 was introduced together with the L3, and complements the new small car with a familiar face. Being a level up from the smaller L3, it sports several extra features, next to the innovations already introduced with the L3.

The L5 is now equipped with the new VLT Group TCi engine technology, which are the greenest and most powerful petrol engines to ever feature in a VLT, with 1.4-2 litre engines developing 160-280 horsepower. More innovative developments have been included in the engine’s technology: it has a Stationary Shutdown System (3S), that automatically turns off the engine when standing at, for example, a red light. The engine starts again when pressure is applied on the accelerator pedal. Next to this, it has variable valve timing and a variable compression. This means that the engine can run at extremely high, Diesel-like efficiency levels, while still delivering maximum power to the driver. To increase power from a smaller displacement, a turbocharger and a supercharger were used to work together: the supercharger will mainly operate at low speeds to deliver horsepower and torque, and the turbocharger will take over above 2,500 rpm. If necessary, both can be used to force air into the engine when maximum power is required, for example during acceleration or on high (200+) Autobahn speeds. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to increase the engine’s power by a CPU modification, due to the use of turbo- and superchargers.

The Twin-Clutch Gearbox (TCG) makes use of two clutches instead of one. This allows the system to shift within 6 milliseconds, since it ‘lines up’ the next gear before shifting, making use of the second clutch. If necessary, the system can also be configured to work in automatic mode by the simple pressing of a button.

Inside the L5, a satellite navigation system covers center console. The interior was designed using high quality components, and offer a soft touch feel with elegant looks. A sliding sunroof has been included in the standard equipment, but also features solar panels that can allow the vehicle to preheat itself while the engine is not running. This can be very useful when the vehicle is parked outside, since it can cool the interior in summer, and heat it in winter. Next to this, several electric heating elements keep the engine heated and also prevents the windows from freezing over.
Unlike the L3, the L5 has an all-touch screen interior, in which systems can be operated complete by one finger, making it possible to scroll through dozens of screens by the slip of a finger. The satellite navigation system does not only offer a simple map view, but also has a 3D view possibility and an actualised satellite map database, made possible by a 500GB harddisk aboard the vehicle, which can also be used to store music, movies or even games, for the rear passengers’ enjoyment. The rear view mirror makes use of several cameras in the back of the vehicle to allow the driver to monitor his surroundings better than ever before, and even has an integrated blind spot monitor that sense movement on locations the driver cannot see from his seating position. This greatly increases security for both the driver and his passenger, and pedestrians. Furthermore, two cameras facing either left or right and mounted next to the front lights allow the driver to see around difficult corners, such as in built-up areas. The adaptive cornering lights further enhance the safety in corners by allowing the driver to see where he is going, by automatically moving the front lights together with the front wheels.

The VLT L5 is available from a price of $27,500, selling at around the same price as the previous model. It can be ordered from all VLT dealerships after the 1st of April, which is no joke..

L5 1.4 TCi E-motion……………..$27,500
L3 1.4 TCi 200.....................$29,800
L5 2.0 TCi 280.....................$35,000
L5 3.5 V6 340……………………..$45,000
L5 4.2 V8 GT……………………....$61,000
L5 2.0 CD 160……………………..$28,150
L5 2.0 CD 200……………………..$32,000
L5 3.0 CD 270……………………..$36,500
Stationwagon……………………..+$2350

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:13 am

VLT L6

The VLT L6 is an executive-class car, that has recently been facelifted to incorporate the recent engine changes at the VLT Group. Furthermore, effort has been put in to increase the overall quality of the vehicle.

TCi

The L5 is now equipped with the new VLT Group TCi engine technology, which are the greenest and most powerful petrol engines to ever feature in a VLT, with 1.4-2 litre engines developing 160-280 horsepower. More innovative developments have been included in the engine’s technology: it has a Stationary Shutdown System (3S), that automatically turns off the engine when standing at, for example, a red light. The engine starts again when pressure is applied on the accelerator pedal. Next to this, it has variable valve timing and a variable compression. This means that the engine can run at extremely high, Diesel-like efficiency levels, while still delivering maximum power to the driver. To increase power from a smaller displacement, a turbocharger and a supercharger were used to work together: the supercharger will mainly operate at low speeds to deliver horsepower and torque, and the turbocharger will take over above 2,500 rpm. If necessary, both can be used to force air into the engine when maximum power is required, for example during acceleration or on high (200+) Autobahn speeds. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to increase the engine’s power by a CPU modification, due to the use of turbo- and superchargers.

TCi-6

VLT’s proprietary TCi technology has so far only been used with smaller, inline-four engines. However, to further increase the efficiency of the VLT model range, particularly the larger models, the brand is now proud to introduce their newest creation: the TCi-6 engine.

TCi-6 is an engine that will initially be available as a 3-litre unit, and has been designed with the VLT tradition in mind. It is of an inline-6 architecture, which ensure a natural cylinder balance, meaning that the engine will be smoother than the preceding V6 units, while the cast aluminium construction results in a light engine. In terms of TCi technology, the engine is blessed with no less than two large variable geometry turbochargers, one for each cylinder bank, running exactly parallel to each other. The turbochargers will have a reduced turbo lag, thanks to their variable geometry technology. Furthermore, direct fuel injection further increases the power and efficiency of the engine, and the double overhead camshafts, as well as 5 valves per cylinder complete the basic design features of the engine.

As with other TCi engines, the 6-cylinder unit is equipped with 3S, the Stationary Shutdown System, that automatically turns off the engine when standing at, for example, a red light. The engine starts again when pressure is applied on the accelerator pedal, or, for manual versions, the clutch pedal, provided the vehicle is in neutral gear. If not, the engine will only start when the clutch pedal is fully engaged. Next to this, the TCi engine has a variable compression ratio that will allow the engine to change their compression ratios from a low ratio for high-performance runs, to a high compression ratio with a lower turbocharger boost for regular, everyday use. This increases fuel efficiency, while also allowing for choosing an engine characteristic suitable to the circumstances. It is also possible to choose between ‘boost’ and ‘normal’ settings via a button in the car’s interior. This setting will reduce the compression ratio of the engine, while also increasing the boost that is provided by the turbochargers on the engine. This will eventually allow a maximum power rating of 450 horsepower.

In the future, the engine will have electromagnetic valve actuation (EMVA), which allows a more accurate control of the engine, as valve timing can be set by the ECU individually per cylinder. Each valve is controlled by two springs and two magnets. The two opposing springs provide alternating forces, one to open the valve, the other to close it. The two magnets catch the armature plate attached to the valve stem, the lower magnet to open the valve and the upper magnet to close it. The electromagnetic valve actuation requires an onboard converter that will convert the 12V onboard power of a vehicle into the 42 Volts required to power the electromagnetic systems. To prevent that this system will heat up too much, the converter is liquid-cooled by the engine systems. The advantages of the system are a higher fuel efficiency and more torque in the lower-end revolution range. Furthermore, the system allows for the deactivation of cylinders during low load situations and when the engine is idle, further increasing fuel efficiency.

The first TCi-6 type engine that will come available will be the 3.0 TCi-6. This engine will offer no less than 400 horsepower, while offering a 20% increase in fuel efficiency over the older V6 engines. Furthermore, tests have found that the new TCi-6 engines run smoother and better than their older counterparts, and distribute their power in a very linear fashion, thanks to the turbocharger/supercharger setup.

TCG

The Twin-Clutch Gearbox (TCG) makes use of two clutches instead of one. This allows the system to shift within 6 milliseconds, since it ‘lines up’ the next gear before shifting, making use of the second clutch. If necessary, the system can also be configured to work in automatic mode by the simple pressing of a button. The system is available on all petrol models, as well as all Diesel-powered models.

New body styles

As of immediately, the VLT L6 comes available with two new bodystyles, being the Stationwagon, an estate version with no less than 1600 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded down, or 500 litres of boot space under regular conditions. Furthermore, an attractively-lined L6 Coupé is available, which has space for 2 adults and 2 children, or extra luggage behind the front seats. The estate is available at a premium of $2500, the coupe version at a premium of $6500.

Main Competitors: Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Mercedes-Benz E-class.

2.0 TCi	$42.021
3.0 TCi-6	$48.912
4.2 V8	$58.359
GT 5.0 V10	$79.800
2.0 CD	$41.511
3.0 CD	$48.312
4.4 CD	$51.159
Stationwagon	+$2500
Coupé	+$6500
TCG-6 gearbox (if not stated in the specifications)	+$2100
Note: If the TCG gearbox is stated in the specifications, a manual gearbox can be obtained free of charge

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:15 am

VLT L7

The L7 is VLT's current top-end model. The vehicle was introduced at the Luxembourg Automobile Salon in 2006, together with the L9.

Main Competitors: BMW 7-series, Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz S-Class

3.5 V6........... $61.871
4.4 V8........... $70.776
5.0 V10......... $78.432
6.3 V12 ........ $82.563
3.0 CD ......... $65.739
4.4 CD ......... $72.815

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:16 am

VLT L8

The L8 is VLT's attempt to make one of the most luxurious cars currently on the planet, which incorporates style and speed

VLT L8 Saloon ......... $1,500,000
VLT L8 Coupé ......... $1,510,000

Export limitation: 1 of each model per person, 5 per nation per year

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:17 am

VLT L9

The VLT L9 was one of the oldest VLT models still on the market today. This meant that, before 2010, VLT would have to come with a completely new L9. They met their deadline with the introduction of the new L9 on the Nationale Auto-Ausstellung in Enzersdorf, a somewhat smaller car show in the Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg, as all VLT models are usually presented to the domestic market first.

The L9 can be identified as a ‘5+2’ SUV, as it has a good amount of space for 5 passengers, and can carry a further 2 passengers with the seats in the luggage compartment, that can be folded down into the floor if not necessary, creating luggage space. In addition, the regular rear seat also folds down completely flat, in order to allow the owner of an L9 to take a gargantuan amount of luggage. The interior itself is luxurious, and comes with leather upholstery as standard, as well as a climate control which has three individual zones. The seats can all be moved electrically, with the height adjustment also being electric. The headrests are pro-active, which means that they will automatically support you during a crash, regardless of the position they are in. This prevents whiplash, and protects from further neck injuries.

The L9 also receives the TCi and CD engines used in the L5, but also receives an uprated 3.0 CD engine, that provide extra power for use in rough circumstances. The top-of-the-range model is the 3.5 V6 with 340 horsepower, which however does not receive a GT badge, as SUVs do not match the sportive aspirations offered by the GT department. In total, the L9 can be delivered with petrol engines ranging in power from 160 PS to 340 PS, and Diesel engines ranging in power from 160 PS to 300 PS.

Unique for the L9 is the Dynamic Terrain Response system, that can be set to certain types of soil. For road use, the system will cooperate with the DESP stability programme in order to provide optimal grip, while off road, it will constantly adapt to the circumstances it experiences, and react to the settings chosen by the driver. If necessary, the driver can choose between 4WD and 2WD, or pick the ‘lock’ option, which will divide all power evenly to all wheels.
As every L9 can be ordered with air suspension as an option, the Dynamic Terrain Response System will also adapt the air suspension system to the circumstances, in order to give more ground clearance in situations that require this. The air suspension itself can also be set to several settings, being normal, sport and off-road. The differences are of course in the ride height of the vehicle, with ‘normal’ being the default setting. ‘Sport’ and ‘Off-road’ can be chosen by the driver, but ‘sport’ will also automatically engage at speeds over 160 km/h, while ‘Off-road’ will also be activated whenever the DTRS orders it to do so.
Several other interesting pieces of safety equipment have been added, including a radar-guided cruise control system that can be used at speeds ranging from 3 km/h to 250 km/h. Other innovations include an airbag system for pedestrians that will pop up from under the bonnet if an accident with a pedestrian is detected, and a blind spot monitor that will warn the driver in case there is a vehicle or some other kind of obstacle in his blind spot.

The VLT L9 is available from $33,450 and can be ordered from all worldwide VLT dealerships starting now.

L9 1.4 TCi 160	$33,450
L9 1.4 TCi 200	$34,700
L9 2.0 TCi 280	$35,900
L9 3.5 V6 340	$41,500
L9 2.0 CD 160	$33,950
L9 2.0 CD 200	$35,100
L9 3.0 CD 300	$39,900
Air suspension	+$1000

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:18 am

L10

The L10 is a large MPV, capable of carrying 7 persons and their luggage in a comfortable manner.

2.0 Turbo ………………..$36.949
3.5 V6 ……………………. $41.338
2.0 CD ……………………. $41.849
3.0 CD ……………………. $46.168

2.0 Turbo

Type: VLT 4-cilinder, cast aluminium, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts.
Displacement: 1.998 cm3
Compression: 10.2:1

Sequential, multipoint fuel injection. Single Centrifugal supercharger (Antonov) with response system, 1.2 bar boost pressure

Power output: 210 PS at 5.100 rpm
Maximum torque: 290 Nm at 2.200 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 4

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 8.4 seconds
Top speed: 225 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 6,7 l / 100 km
Combined: 8,8 l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Super RON98

Fuel capacity: 75 litres
Dry weight: 1710 kg
Max Payload: 765 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2200 Kg

Turning circle: 11,2 metres
Gearbox: VLT G6M 6-speed Manual Gearbox

3.5 V6

Type: VLT 6-cilinder, cast aluminium, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts.
Displacement: 3.492 cm3
Compression: 11.9:1

Sequential, multipoint fuel injection. Double Centrifugal supercharger (Antonov) with response system, 1.2 bar boost pressure

Power output: 370 PS at 7.500 rpm
Maximum torque: 392 Nm at 3.100 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 4

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 7.4 seconds
Top speed: 242 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 7,1 l / 100 km
Combined: 9,2 l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Super RON98

Fuel capacity: 75 litres
Dry weight: 1725 kg
Max Payload: 750 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2200 Kg

Turning circle: 11,2 metres
Gearbox: VLT G6M 6-speed Manual Gearbox

2.0 CD

Type: VLT 4-cilinder, cast aluminium, 4 valves per cylinder, Commonrail Technology
Displacement: 1.998 cm3
Compression: 17.1:1

Common-rail, High-pressure injection. Single Centrifugal supercharger (Antonov) with response system, 1.2 bar boost pressure

Power output: 178 PS at 4.300 rpm
Maximum torque: 360 Nm at 2.000 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 4

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 9.5 seconds
Top speed: 205 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 4,6 l / 100 km
Combined: 5,8 l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Diesel

Fuel capacity: 75 litres
Dry weight: 1716 kg
Max Payload: 750 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2200 Kg

Turning circle: 11,2 metres
Gearbox: VLT G6M 6-speed Manual Gearbox

3.0 CD

Type: VLT 6-cilinder, cast aluminium, 4 valves per cylinder, Commonrail Technology
Displacement: 3.021 cm3
Compression: 18.4:1

Commonrail, High pressure injection. Single Centrifugal supercharger (Antonov) with response system, 1.2 bar boost pressure

Power output: 272 PS at 3.700 rpm
Maximum torque: 575 Nm at 1.800 rpm.
Driven Wheels: 4

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 230 KM/H
Fuel Consumption: Highway travel: 5,9 l / 100 km
Combined: 7,8 l / 100 km
Advised fuel: Diesel

Fuel capacity: 75 litres
Dry weight: 1728 kg
Max Payload: 750 Kg
Max Towing Capacity: 2200 Kg

Turning circle: 11,2 metres
Gearbox: VLT G6M 6-speed Manual Gearbox

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:21 am

VLT C4

The VLT C4 is a heavy tractor truck, capable of pulling up to 63 metric tons of load. It is equipped with all the latest technology, and can even be outfitted with a 17-litre V8 Diesel engine, incorporating all the best technology to deliver a staggering 710 PS and 3400 Nm of torque.

C4-450 4x2 ………… $101,891
C4-550 4x2 ………… $115,356
C4-710 V8 4x2 …….. $128,716

Options:

6x4 chassis: +$7600

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:22 am

M5 Fire vehicle

The VLT M5 6x6

An early testbed for the M5 Fire Vehicle: A Mercedes-Benz Axor 4x2

After several complaints from domestic fire services that they needed a fire vehicle that could fulfil their needs, VLT went to work with the VLT M5. The original version, a military truck, was completely modified to be a specialised fire vehicle that could fulfil the needs of the modern fire service. The personnel at VLT Custom first removed the complete cab of the vehicle, so that only the chassis remained to build on. On this, they rebuilt the vehicle, using a new concept for the Van Luxemburgian market, only utilised by several Fire Departments around the nation. The combination of a aerial ladder and a pumper vehicle makes it extremely versatile, and also a great alternative for Fire Departments who do not have the need or the manpower for the multiple vehicles that are combined into one here.

Installed on the chassis of the 6x6 M5 truck was an aerial ladder (skylift), on top of the storage compartments that were installed before. These includes all necessities for a firefighting vehicle, such as a variable (flexible) water tank that can take up to 3000 litres of water. The high-power pump (a Pabst P6000) installed on the vehicle can take some 6000 litre/min, either from the vehicles water tank or an alternative water source (such as a fire hydrant or even a lake). Onboard the vehicle a One/Seven system has also been installed: Due to a water/foam compound, an extinguishing volume of about seven times the normal size can be achieved. This system (Pabst OS3500) can extinguish up to 3540 ltr/min, while only utilising 440 litres of water per minute at the same time.

The Aerial Ladder installed onboard can be remotely controlled and can reach heights of up to 30 metres. It can be used to put out fires from heights, or transport firemen to high-up places such as high-rise buildings. Installed on the basket is a Pabst WM1500 turret that can put out water at a rate of 1500 litres a minute, and can be controlled either by hand or by remote control. On the vehicle 3 light mounts have been made, two search lights have been mounted on the ladder basket and the front of the vehicle respectively, while a stronger light mast has been installed on the back of the vehicle. This mast can be highered for approximately 5 metres, in order to light the scene.

Inside the vehicle, the cab offers place for 9 crewmembers and their gear, including the driver and vehicle commander. The vehicle is equipped with an Emergency Vehicle Information System (EVIS), which can receive mission details, assist the commander in planning the mission, monitor the status of the crewmembers (and their breathing systems), and also has a Crash Recovery System that can show the commander all specifics of a vehicle, as well as how it can be cut open.

Walter Autotechnologie was set to work on the specifics of the lighting systems and sirens, and returned with the proposal to fit it with a low-profile LED-lightbar. LED Grille flashers are complemented by strobe flashers in the headlights, aswell as LED flashers on the front-facing side of the mirrors. On the back of the vehicle, LED flashers have also been placed, aswell as a traffic advisor to control traffic behind the vehicle.

Ofcourse, the vehicle is equipped with all the systems originally delivered on the M5. They include the advanced hydropneumatic suspension system HPVS, with all of the respective systems belonging to it. Due to the ground clearance and all-wheel drive, the M5 firetruck can also be used offroad or on bad road conditions.

Construction by:
VLT Automotive Custom B.V., Esch-sur-Alzette
Walter Autotechnologie B.V., Weiler-la-Tour
Pabst Fire Technologies Gmbh, Bülach
Baumgartner Aerial Lifting AG, Bad Altreichenau

Technical Details
Engine: VLT EM483 Multifuel, 483 HP
Gearbox: ZF AS-Tronic, 12-Speed, Automatic
Suspension: Hydro-Pneumatic, variable ride-height, GINAF (HPVS)
Driven wheels: 6x6
Max. Total Axle Load (During Testing): 34.5 (metric) Tons
Max Loading Capacity (During Testing): 29 (metric) Tons
Max. Speed (During Testing): 150 Km/h (Road) 65 Km/h (Off-road)
Fuel Consumption: 35L/100KM (On-Road) 39L/100KM (Off-road) (for EM483)

Vehicle Price:
$475,000

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:22 am

*The C-5 Ascendance is currently under revision*

by **Van Luxemburg** » Sat May 23, 2009 5:29 am

VLT M5

VLT M5 4x4 with extended cabin in Van Luxemburger service shown

In early 2003, the first deliveries of the VLT M5 took place at the Findelkasern in Luxembourg. They were destined for the first regiment of the Groussherzogliche Arméi, the regiment being otherwise known as the Gourssherzogliche Wuecht. The vehicle was at that point the pinnacle of Van Luxemburger experience in the development of military trucks, and perhaps one of the most advanced of its kind. Nevertheless, vehicle reliability remained a major issue for the Arméi that had ordered these vehicles, and thus two different versions had been designed, one primarily for logistical services with the auxiliary troops of the Arméi, and one version that would only have the most basic of necessities on board.

With the former being equipped with more luxuries and an improved suspension system that allowed for more comfort, but also was extremely capable in various types of terrain, the M5a was clearly the most popular version among the soldiers and drivers that had to operate these vehicles. On the other hand, mechanics and financial experts preferred the simpler M5b, as it was far easier to repair due to a lack of complicated parts, and had a lower replacement cost, while the less complicated parts were also cheaper and universally available. With these differences in preference regarding various versions of the M5, the Ministry of Defence evaluated the design together with VLT’s defence vehicles department in early 2009, in order to come to a better design that was beneficial for all parties.

During one of these evaluation sessions, VLT revealed that it was planning to make one standard specification for the M5, with a new version of the Hydropneumatic suspension offered on the auxiliary M5’s. As the revision proposal was received in a positive way by the personnel of the Ministry of Defence that attended the meetings, VLT went to work immediately to make the M5 better than it was.

The first step was to mount a newer version of the hydropneumatic suspension that made the VLT M5 unique. This system replaces the conventional leaf or coil spring suspension commonly used in trucks, by a system that works with hydraulic cylinders, mounted between the axles and the chassis. The cylinders have been connected with each other along the length of the vehicle, together with nitrogen-filled hydraulic accumulators. If a tyre hits a bump, the nitrogen is compressed, if the tyre then returns to the normal driving situation, the nitrogen will expand once again to return the suspension to normal circumstances. A constant hydropneumatic suspension with onboard damping is thus available. The system, however, is progressive, which means that the system can take into account the type of terrain the vehicle is currently on, as well as the differences in loaded or unloaded conditions. As the hydropneumatic cylinders are only connected length-wise, the suspension left and right has essentially been separated, which means that all wheels will have equal ground pressure in uneven terrain. Furthermore, as the system stabilizes per vehicle side, no stabilizer beams are necessary, meaning the unsprung weight of the vehicle will be lower, which improves roadholding, terrain capabilities and total vehicle weight.

The cylinders used in this system have very few moving parts, meaning they require little maintenance, and will not require replacement often. The system itself is light, reliable and relatively small, and ready for a long service life. Furthermore, should replacement be necessary, a mechanic can mount a new cylinder unit (which can be ordered complete or in parts, with complete units only requiring basic mechanical skill to mount onto the chassis and connect the hydraulic tubing). Also, the HPVS system is, in soldier terminology, idiot-proof by being able to withstand the extra stresses of exceeding the maximum weight of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the system has several additional features, such as the crosswise stabilization of the vehicle that takes place automatically under a speed of 3 km/h. If necessary, the driver can also engage it at speeds above this limit. The stabilization system makes sure that the chassis and cabin of the vehicle remain level while the vehicle itself is at a side slope. This is done by locking the cylinders of the suspension in a level position on one side of the vehicle. This prevents the vehicle from tipping over, making it easier to cross steep side slopes. Also, there is a system on board that stabilizes the vehicle in corners, to reduce vehicle roll. This is done by temporarily deactivating the hydropneumatic suspension in high-speed corners, reducing the rolling movement caused by the suspension system. If necessary, the system can also be turned off in case the suspension system of the truck is absolutely necessary.

Next to these features, HPVS also offers a vehicle weight indicator, making it easy to avoid overloading the vehicle. The system will even sound a short alarm in case the vehicle is overloaded and the driver attempts to drive off, but this function can be turned off or ignored, in order to allow emergency military operations. Also, a system has been installed that can keep the vehicle completely level when standing still. This can be necessary for example for the role as mobile launch platform for missile or gun systems. As the M5 is prepared for modular use, HPVS can assist when (off)loading modules or containers. This means that the rear axles will automatically lower, in order to ease the load on these axles.

However, not only the suspension system was perfected. The cab was improved from the last version, and now leans heavily on the architecture of the commercial C3 model, making it easier to replace parts and add protective measures for the crew. All electric circuits have been waterproofed and the air inlet and exhaust were placed in stacks behind the cabin itself, in order to increase fording efficiency. The cab of the truck has now been equipped with hydropneumatic cabin suspension, that allows for extra comfort, and uses the same parts as the chassis suspension. The fact that the cab is essentially separate from the chassis, improves mine protection, as a titanium armour plate between the top of the engine and the cab itself protects the passengers, while the cabin suspension allows for some extra movement between the chassis and the cab. This makes the M5 a remarkably mine-safe vehicle. Together with the hydropneumatic suspension, three cabin seats with air suspension have been supplied, which allows for more comfort in rough terrain or on bad roads.

Inside the cab, the M5 shows similarities with the commercial vehicle line of VLT. While the interior has been stripped of excess luxuries, and the seats have been covered in cheap and easy-to-clean imitation leather, a simple radio can still be mounted on vehicles if deemed desireable; as the dashboard has preparations for a 2DIN entertainment systems as delivered on the commercial vehicles, it is possible to install a fullscreen navigation system, for example for trucks operating far behind the front lines and in peacetime by auxiliary troops. A simple but effective heater is supplied, which can also produce chilled air by directing the airflow required for the chilled air along the truck’s engine air intake. An air conditioning system is available as an option on every M5 truck, to keep the basic mechanics as simple as possible.

There is ample space in the cabin itself to store various types of communication equipment, such as military-grade radios. Furthermore, the seats have been equipped with a mounting point for a rifle, such that the service weapon can be kept within reach. If necessary, the rear panel of the cabin can be used as stowage space to keep heavier weaponry, such as missile launchers, but can also be used for two bunk beds when the longer cabin is opted for. When the bunk beds are not used as such, they can serve as a four-person bench, for example for other vehicle crews.

A roof hatch has been built into the truck roof, and can be accessed via the center seat, which can be folded down in order to provide a solid platform to stand on. The hatch ring mount can be used to mount light support weapons, such as small-calibre machine guns, for example the FN MAG used by the Van Luxemburger Arméi. In conflict areas, the cabin can be armoured by appliqué armour, protecting against small arms fire, for example the ubiquitous 7.62x39mm AK round. This armour set can be easily applied by two persons with at least basic mechanic skills.

However, should the protection against just small arms not be enough, VLT also offers an enhanced, built-in armour kit, developed together with Müller Panzerwerke, a company leading on the Van Luxemburger armour market. As the armour on the roof is increased and essentially strengthens the roof, it is also possible to mount heavy, guided weaponry or a remote weapons station in the hatch mount. The integrated package will not only protect against small arms fire, but will also offer enhanced protection against shrapnel and mine or IED explosions. This is further enhanced by the V-shaped armour plate that is standard on every M5, regardless of if it has been equipped with the integrated armour package or not.

Behind the cab, the M5 has one or two spare tyres, depending on the amount of tyres and the task of the vehicle. A small auxiliary power unit can also be mounted in some cases, in order to provide electricity while the main engine is not running. Another option is a winch, that can be used to recover light vehicles if necessary. A lighter winch can also be mounted in front of the cab.

In terms of lighting, the M5 makes use of LED lights, that require minimal servicing and have a high efficiency level. In normal (civilian) situations, the front lights will provide regular lighting, but in military operations, the amount of LED’s active can be brought back to military-grade lighting standards by just the push of a button.

Behind the cabin, the chassis of the M5 is very modular. A simple roll-on/roll-off system allows the truck to be reconfigured for various tasks, all by using a uniform mounting design. The operator has the choice of winching relatively light modules onto the back of the vehicle, by using the optional winch. Another option is to use a hook loader that the M5 can be equipped with, which can pull specially prepared container units onto the vehicle chassis and automatically secure them in place. The third option is to load the modules onto the truck by a crane. All these options and the modular construction of the M5 mean that it is a very versatile vehicle, able to be configured to any task.

Two specific versions of the M5 differ from this modular setup: a tractor version that can be used to pull various semitrailers for military tasks, such as MBT or IFV transport, or any form of behind-the-front-line replenishment. Another vehicle is the recovery vehicle that the M5 can be turned into. Due to the strength of the chassis being necessary for pulling heavy loads, it was not desirable to make a recovery module that would simply be mounted onto the truck. Therefore, a separate version was designed, that could recover and tow vehicles weighing up to 100 tons.

The M5 is equipped with a 6.1-litre VLT commercial vehicle engine, which has 6 cilinders in line and 4 valves per cylinder. The engine is made out of cast aluminium and has double overhead camshafts. Commonrail injection makes the engine more efficient and powerful, yielding a total power output of 280 PS (276 hp, 205 kW) at 2.050 rpm. A torque of 1200 Nm (885 lb-ft) ensures enough pulling power in every gear. With this engine, codenamed DC6-C83 in VLT terms, the M5 can achieve a top speed of 120 km/h and will have a fuel consumption of around 23 L/100 km for a 5,900 KG tractor with no armouring.

This engine is subsequently connected to a 6-speed manual gearbox with low and high range gears provided through a transfer case mounted behind the gearbox. The gearbox itself is entirely synchronized and hydraulically assisted, and has two sticks to shift gear and switch between high and low range, respectively. As an option, customers can also order the 12-speed VLTC tiptronic gearbox as delivered in commercial trucks. This tiptronic gearbox facilitates fully automatic gear changes, as well as sequential gearchanges by the driver itself. A torque converter transfers the power from the engine to the transmission.

It is also possible to order more powerful engines from the VLT factories; in general, the M5 can mount all commercial truck engines delivered in the VLTC line. Two engines will be outlined; the DC6-C78 11-litre 6-cylinder line engine and the VLT DC8-C11 17-litre V8 engine.

The first of these two engines shares its architecture with the basic engine of the M5: a 6-cylinder line engine with 4 valves per cylinder and common rail diesel injection, as well as a cast aluminium engine design with a double overhead camshaft. However, the engine is significantly larger at 11 litres, and has a power output of 470 PS (463 hp, 345 kW) and 2500 Nm (1844 lb-ft) of torque. The engine is especially suitable for carrying heavier loads than normal, but trades in fuel consumption for power; it will consume 27 L/100 km for a 5,988 KG tractor with no armouring.

The second engine is completely different from all commercial diesels offered by VLT: It is a V8 engine with commonrail injection, also with 4 valves per cylinder, an aluminium engine design and double overhead camshafts. The displacement of this monstrous engine is 17 litres, which leads to a power output of 710 PS (700 hp, 522 kW) and a torque of 2400 Nm (2507 lb-ft). The V8 engine is especially suited for pulling heavy loads, such as an MBT transporter or a large missile launching platform. It is however the most uneconomical engine in the range, at a fuel consumption of 33 L/100 km for a 6,050 KG tractor with no armouring.

For all versions, a PTO or power take-off has been provided at the back of the vehicle, allowing it to power other equipment via an additional driveshaft. Equipment such as pumps and heavy winches are ideally suited for mounting to this PTO system.

In conclusion, the VLT M5 is a vehicle suited to any modern military force, that requires quick, efficient and reliable wheeled transport for its logistical and frontline units.

Prices

Base Price (M5 with 280 PS 6-cylinder engine):	$295,000
470 PS 6-cylinder engine:	+$16,000
700 PS V8 engine:	+$30,000
12-speed VLT tiptronic transmission:	+$2800
Tractor version, 4x4:	-$2100
Tractor version, 6x6:	+$5400
Tractor version, 8x8:	+$11,200
Tractor version, 10x8:	+$14,000
Rigid truck chassis, 4x4:	Standard
Rigid truck chassis, 6x6:	+$5400
Rigid truck chassis, 8x8:	+$11,200
Rigid truck chassis, 10x8:	+$15,000
Recovery vehicle, max 100 ton:	+$210,000
For other commercial vehicle engines, please inquire.
Armouring (as standard unarmoured, STANAG 4569 Level 2 against mines):
Applique armour kit (STANAG 4569 Level 2, 7.62mm AK, Mines: Level 3):	+$71,000
Integrated armour kit (STANAG 4569 Level 3, 7.62mm NATO, Mines: Level 4):	+$210,000
Additional options:
Radio/CD/MP3 player 4x40W:	+$200
Satellite Navigation system ( military-grade, 2DIN):	+$5400
Air Conditioning system:	+$700
Long cabin (+2 bunk beds/4 passengers):	+$1800
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU):	+$3200
Winch (front, max 16500 lbs/7500 kg):	+$2000
Winch (Rear, max 50000 lbs/22,670 kg):	+$10,000
Hook loader system (only on rigid trucks!):	+$21,000
Foldable loading crane (max 18000 kg @ 4.7m):	+$33,000

Further Specifications

Base weight (4x4 tractor, standard):	6,500 KG
Max GVW (6x6 tractor and above, standard):	120,000 KG
Max GVW (10x8 tractor, with modifications):	220,000 KG
Max. speed (4x4 truck, V8):	150 km/h
Fuel tank (standard):	200 litres
Max. range (4x4 truck, standard):	870 km
Max. Slope:	60%
Max. Side Slope:	35%
Length:	7.6 metres (4x4)
Width:	2,50 metres
Height:	3.9 metres
Max. wade depth:	3.5 metres

Monteluci Duca 1.8	$32,200
Monteluci Duca 1.8 Biturbo	$33,990
Monteluci Duca 2.0 Turbo	$36,700
Monteluci Duca 3.2 V6	$39,710
Monteluci Duca 3.2 V6 Biturbo	$46,500
Monteluci Duca V8 SFS	$90,000
Monteluci Duca 1.2 BMD EcoDrive	$32,900
Monteluci Duca 1.8 BMD 180	$34,900
Monteluci Duca 2.0 BMD 210	$37,500
Monteluci Duca 2.4 5C BMD 260	$41,100
Monteluci Duca 3.2 V6 BMD 310	$45,950
Sportwagon	+$2100

Memory on electric front seats:	$450
Memory on electric rear seats :	$200
(only in combination with Lounge Pack)
Skibag, :	$50
(can not be combined with Lounge Pack)
Rear sunblinds (3x), Electrically operable:	$150
‘Soft close’ doors:	$240
The last few millimetres of closing the door will be done by the car itself, to prevent damage to doors
Voice control for the Entertainment system:	$850
Monteluci Parcheggio Automatizzato (Automated Parking system):	$980
The MPA system will automatically recognise parking spaces when activated, and propose spaces fitting the Duca, and will then park the vehicle automatically, the driver only needs to brake.
Lighting pack:	$170
The lighting pack includes several soft lighting possibilities inside the Duca interior, while also providing extra lighting while getting in and out of the car: this light is provided by LEDs in the wing mirrors and the door handles.
Interior pre-heating, remote control included in car key:	$780
This system will make sure your Duca is always at the right temperature. It will also automatically start heating the engine oil, in order to allow for less wear due to driving with a cold engine, and also an improved fuel efficiency.
Remote opening system of luggage compartment	$600
The luggage compartment will automatically open at just the press of a button. The system also allows for the automatic closing of the boot lid again.
Monteluci Adaptive Cornering lights :	$495
The headlights will be following the movement of the wheels, and help the driver by illuminating the road ahead and 'looking into corners'.
SFS Aerodynamics Package :	$3,200
SFS interior/exterior looks for non-SFS models, including a bodykit, carbon interior decoration and a multifunction sports steering wheel
Monteluci Sports Suspension (Can not be combined with Adaptive Suspension):	$460
The Duca will come with a stiffer suspension than standard, to allow for more sportive driving.
Monteluci Adaptive Suspension (Sport, Comfort, Safety settings):	$1,780
The suspension is adaptive to the environment and can be set to three distinct settings, being Sport, Comfort and Safety. These settings also affect the interventions by the safety systems.
6-speed Semi-automatic Gearbox:	$1,670
4D, Four-Wheel Drive System:	$2,128
Lounge Pack (Rear seat centre console) Titanium decoration:	$2,300
The Lounge Pack comes standard with a dividing rear centre console, but also heated and electrically operable rear seats. Only 4 persons can sit in a Duca with Lounge Pack.
Lounge pack (Rear seat centre console) Olive wood decoration:	$2,500
Rear seat entertainment set, two 8" LCD screens:	$1,300
Wheels set, 18’ double-spoke ‘Veloce’ with Pirelli P-Zero 255/45 R18:	$1,000
Wheels set, 19’ SFS-style ‘Moiano’ with Pirelli P-Zero 265/35 R19:	$2300 (only in combination with SFS package. Standard on SFS)
Factory pick-up in Venezia (including driving course on Moiano):	$600 for Van Luxemburger clients, $2000 for international clients (including airline tickets & hotel)

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