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Tenafly’s Newest Addition…

It’s First Responder Friday and Tenafly’s got a new rig in town! In a small town in Bergen County, New Jersey, the Tenafly Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) provides emergency medical services to the 14,000 residents who call this town home, and the countless passersby who visit, since 1992.

Previously using two Ford E350 ambulances from the early 2000’s, TVAC needed an upgrade to their decade-plus old fleet- enter the 2014 Horton 623T, codenamed 42. Built on an International Terrastar 108 chassis, the Horton 623T features a MaxxForce 7 turbodiesel V8 engine, designed to meet the needs of medium-duty commercial and emergency vehicles. The MaxxForce 7 features up to 300 horsepower and 660 lb.-ft. of torque, with high-pressure common-rail fuel system, compacted graphite iron block and dual sequential turbochargers to deliver optimal performance.

TVAC Lieutenant of Operations (and Autocracy cofounder!) David Novick says, “the new 42 is modern & up-to-date, uses better technology and has alot of safety upgrades that have been implemented over the years to help keep both the medical personnel and patient safe”.

Vehicle features include a Maxxforce diesel engine, 19.5″ rims & tires, walk through cab access, rear dock bumpers, privacy windows, Roadmaster front & rear stabilizer bar, Vanner 20A 1050-DC charger inverter, HOPS (Horton Occupant Protection) System, Intelliplex Multiplex electrical system and Kussmaul 20A super auto eject shoreline.

Emergency features are plentiful, with a Whelen LINZ6-TAZ86RR custom rear light bar, Whelen “M” series lighting, wig wag headlights, LED docking lights, ICC marker lights, Whelen M9 series scene lights, below body ground lighting, Medium duty chassis air horns, Whelen 295SLSA1 siren and Sho-Me/Able 2 30.222 undercover siren.

Inside the patient compartment, Tenafly’s new ambulance comes complete with (2) 110V interior outlets, (2) IV hangers, (3) 12VDC interior outlets, a CO detector, (2) fire extinguishers, CPR seat, Cool Tech II HVAC system, (3) oxygen outlets, child safety seat, SSCOR aspirator, UV lamp in A/C system duct, report light, sound proofing/acoustic package, Avonite countertops, recessed stair chair pocket and (2) Perko power vents.

Bugatti’s Chiron Configurator

Is blue not your color? With Bugatti passing around some photos of the new Chiron in a solid navy blue and a two-tone configuration with a lighter blue, it may not suit your fancy.

The answer: Bugatti’s new configurator. Customization is part of what makes Bugatti so unique, so surely there will be some very impressive renditions coming out, similar to Bugatti’s 20+ different versions of the Veyron. With the online configurator, you have your choice of 8 color combinations, with several corresponding wheel options, while viewing the car from a few different angles.

What’s your favorite color combo? Ours is the carbon fiber, below.

Two Grannies, One Lamborghini

How often can you say you’ve seen a grandma driving a $300,000+ Lamborghini? I know I can’t, but a video has been making its’ rounds on social media that proves other people have.

Starting off with a near-miss at hitting a garage, the video by Donut Media features two women, Peggy and Audrey, piloting a lowered, wide-body Lamborghini Murcielago through Southern California. Lamborghinis in general are not very subtle cars, but with a giant spoiler, lower stance, widebody-kit and other upgrades, this one sets it over the top.

After struggling at getting the car into gear, they go for a cruise around Los Angeles – even garnering the attention of another Lamborghini driver. Grocery getting proves futile in this video, with the duo not being able to find the trunk to place their groceries. Check out the video and let us know what you think!

REVIEW: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4MATIC

Look familiar to you? That’s because it is. As part of Mercedes-Benz’s new naming convention, the GLE-Class positions itself in the middle of the SUV segment between the GLC and GLS-Classes (the former GLK and GL, respectively), similar to how the E-Class is positioned in relation to the C and S-Classes.

With the same underpinnings as the previous ML, the GLE blends luxury, comfort and sportiness. Ours was outfitted with a Polar White exterior with Saddle Brown leather and Anthracite Poplar wood. Overall, our GLE350 was great to drive – much better than the outgoing ML350. The GLE350 was very smooth and didn’t feel like you were driving an SUV, however, when you need it to, the SUV capabilities are there. We were amazed by the tight steering and excellent turning radius, and the less-boat-like handling over the previous model was great also. With a 3.5L V6 producing 302hp, the GLE350 4MATIC gets you to 60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds, which is relatively quick for an almost 5,000lb sport utility vehicle. With an as-tested price of $60,385, the GLE350 is a great choice for a luxury SUV.

On the inside, standard features include heated front seats, power lift gate, power driver’s seat with memory and an 8-inch high-resolution color screen. Our GLE350 4MATIC came equipped with the Premium 1 package (a $3,830 option) which includes Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND hard-drive navigation, COMAND with touchpad controller, Blind Spot Assist, Rearview camera, Keyless-Go, household-style 115V power outlet and SiriusXM radio.

Loaded with a plethora of safety features, the GLE350 has adaptive braking technology, Agility Control Suspension, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Attention Assist, Pre-Safe, 11-way airbag protection, Mercedes-Benz mbrace, and Night Security Illumination.

Pros: Great safety features, Night Security Illumination is pretty neat, attention to detail, beautiful interior

Cons: Media interface/COMAND system takes time getting used to

QUICK FACTS:

Base Price: $51,100 || Price as Tested: $60,385

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, four-wheel-drive, five-passenger, 4-door sports utility vehicle

Engine: 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder, 302-hp, 273 lb-ft torque || Transmission: 7-speed automatic, with paddle shifters

Curb Weight: 4,751 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 189.1/84.3/70.7 inches

0-60: 7.5 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 17/22 MPG

Mercedes’ Night Security Illumination

RATING: 8.2/10

Exterior: 8

Interior: 8

Acceleration: 8

Braking: 9

Ride: 9

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 8

Tech: 8

Value: 8

We’d like to thank Pamela Sieradzki at Benzel Busch Mercedes for getting us into a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4MATIC. For all of your luxury vehicle needs, go check out Benzel-Busch Mercedes in Englewood, NJ and online at www.benzelbusch.com/mercedes-nj. Make sure you tell them Greg sent you!

Gymkhana Eight is here!

Set on the streets of Dubai, Gymkhana Eight proves, yet again, that Ken Block is one of our favorite Hoonigans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hf6ke1-i3E

Piloting a fully custom Ford Fiesta, Block plows through sand, gets a Ford Raptor on two wheels and teases Dubai Police and their crazy car fleet with some spectacular donuts. As is the case with previous Gymkhana specials, the level of action and cinematics is greater than its’ predecessor. Donuts around a moving airplane and on the empty streets of Dubai -Gymkhana 8 does not disappoint.

Stay tuned after the credits roll to get a peek at Ken Block’s Ford Focus RS RX, which will be star car of Gymkhana’s ninth installment, coming soon.

Take a look at previous Gymkhana videos:

Gymkhana 1 || Gymkhana 2 || Gymkhana 3 || Gymkhana 4

Gymkhana 5 || Gymkhana 6 || Gymkhana 7 || Gymkhana 8 c

Dubai’s Fastest Police Force

At some point or another in our lives, we’ve all wanted to drive a Ford Crown Victoria or Dodge Charger police car, just to see what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a police cruiser. Things are a little different in the United Arab Emirates, more specifically, in Dubai – where they get to patrol tourist areas in their choice of several 600+ horsepower police cars.

Supercars in Dubai’s police fleet include a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, a Ferrari FF, a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a Bentley Continental GT, a limited-edition Aston Martin One-77, a BMW M6 Gran Coupe, a Brabus G63 AMG, a Bugatti Veyron, an Audi R8, a McLaren MP4-12C, a Lexus RC-F, a BMW i8 and the list goes on. Enjoy our photo gallery of just a few select vehicles of the Dubai Police.

Check out the below video from the Dubai Police and listen to the grunts, growls and grumbles of their fleet.

The Cars of NBC’s “Chicago P.D.”

Created by Dick Wolf (best known for creating the Law & Order franchise) in 2014, Chicago P.D. is the spinoff of NBC’s Chicago Fire. Chicago P.D. takes place in the Chicago Police Department’s District 21 – comprised of uniformed cops who deal with street crimes, and the Intelligence Unit. Under the command of Sgt. Hank Voight (a tough boss who’s known for bending the rules), the Intelligence Unit deals with major crimes, including drug trafficking and high-profile murders.

As a personal favorite show of mine, I thought we might take a dive and see what cars the Intelligence Unit currently is cruising around in.

Sgt. Voight’s 2003 Durango, which was replaced by a 2015 Cadillac Escalade

Det. Olinsky’s 2005 Dodge Magnum

Det. Lindsay’s 2012 Chrysler 300

Det. Olinsky’s 2005 Dodge Magnum

Chicago P.D. Marked Ford Crown Victoria

Sgt. Voight’s Durango and Sr. Det. Dawson’s Seville STS

Det. Lindsay’s 2012 Chrysler 300

Sr. Det. Dawson’s 2002 Dodge Ram, replacing his 2002 Cadillac Seville STS

Chicago P.D.’s Intelligence Unit

Sgt. Voight’s 2015 Cadillac Escalade, the replacement for his 2003 Dodge Durango

Sr. Det. Dawson’s 1998 Cadillac Seville STS

How do you like your Mercedes?

Armored or unarmored? Mercedes-Maybach just recently announced their newest armored vehicle – the S600 Guard. Based on the Maybach S600, the S600 Guard features armor upgrades to keep heads-of-state, celebrities and the world’s elite protected. Mercedes says the car features “innovative voice amplification”, so you can still yell at your attackers while being protected from steel-core ammo from an assault rifle.

Powering the gargantuan vehicle is the S600’s twin-turbocharged V12 with 523 horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque. Armor protection includes special steel that is inserted between the unibody and outer body panels, which overlap at crucial points for “comprehensive ballistic protection”. Thicker windows are coated with polycarbonate to help the car achieve a VR10 armor rating.

Fun Fact: VR10 armor protects occupants from all soft core bullets and most armor piercing and armor piercing incendiary bullets.

In addition to the VR10 armor rating, the S600 Guard also protects form explosives along the side of the car and under the passenger compartment – earning itself an ERV 2010 rating, which protects the passengers from a 15kg TNT explosive blast from 2 meters. With armored protection normally reserved for military vehicles, the S600 Guard is billed to offer the highest level of protection available on non-military vehicles.

No surprise here – you’re going to have to cough up quite a bit of dough to stay protected: about $518,000. The S600 Guard joins Mercedes’ G500, GLE and S-Class armored vehicle lineup.

Photos from Mercedes-Benz.

Dealer Spotlight: Lamborghini Paramus

Introducing Dealer Spotlights – a new thing we’re going to be doing at The Autocracy, where we go to premium brand dealers or locations that have a unique variety of vehicles and share information about them and the products and services they provide. Here is our first Dealer Spotlight, Lamborghini of Paramus.

As the only authorized Lamborghini dealer in New Jersey, Lamborghini of Paramus proudly offers a vast selection of new and selected pre-owned cars as well as service, parts and merchandise. Established in 1969, Lamborghini of Paramus has been around just 6 years less than the Lamborghini brand itself. Lamborghini was founded in Sant’Agata Bolognese Italy in 1963, and since then, they’ve produced some of the greatest looking, most highly detailed sports cars over the last century.

Some select models in their inventory include an Arancio Argos Pearl 2013 Aventador with under 5,000 miles, a Nero Noctis 2012 Gallardo with 6,000 miles and the pièce de résistance, a white 1990 25th Anniversary Edition Countach with just over 12,000 original miles. Renowned for their excellent customer service and close proximity to New York City, Lamborghini of Paramus invites you to stop in – located on Route 17 South in Paramus, New Jersey – and check them out online.

Jaguar F-Type Project 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXJ2wY0JjzM

Jaguar has one of the most famous racing pedigrees of automative manufacturer history – so, it’s only fitting they give us something true to their roots: the F-Type Project 7.

We took a visit to Prestige Jaguar of Paramus to see what that was all about. Reminiscent of Jaguar’s D-Type race car, the F-Type Project 7 has the same tail fin that adorned the car that won the 1955 and 1956 Le Mans races.

Limited to only 250 units (and only 50 in the US), the F-Type Project 7 features the same 5.0-liter supercharged V8 from the regular F-Type, though this one has a bit of a power boost to the tune of 575 hp. That makes it the most powerful and fastest production car Jaguar has offered. Other accoutrements include carbon-ceramic brakes and a fixed rear spoiler. Check out Jaguar’s video above and make sure you turn up that volume!