British super-SUV has German genes

Published Nov 14, 2012

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A brand new kid on the automotive block, Eterniti Motors calls itself a “boutique luxury carmaker.”

The new British carmaker recently celebrated two momentous occasions when it showed the first production-spec Artemis SUV at the opening ceremony of its very first showroom, located in north-west London.

As expected, it hasn't changed much in its metamorphosis from the engineering prototype we saw at the Beijing Motor Show earlier this year, although the world now gets to see its previously-hidden “mega luxury” interior for the first time.

HEART OF A SUPERCAR?

Yet an even bigger claim made by its maker is that the Artemis is the world's fist Super-SUV and that it beats rivals like Bentley, Lamborghini and Maserati to the market!

All of this from a vehicle that is quite evidently based on the Porsche Cayenne.

But while the latter's flagship Turbo S model produces 405kW and 750Nm, the Eterniti gets an up-tuned version of Porsche's 4.8-litre force-fed motor which pushes 441kW but makes do with the same torque output.

According to the book of claims, the Artemis will screech from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of more than 290km/h. This, they say, makes it the fastest large SUV available.

Both the engine and suspension have been fine-tuned under the direction of British engineering expert Alastair Macqueen, who also played a big role in the development of the Jaguar XJ220 and of three Le Mans 24 Hour race winners.

Mcqueen believes this SUV has the “heart and soul of a supercar.”

HANDCRAFTED CABIN

Eterniti's other big promise is hedonistic luxury and one has to wonder why so much effort was put into its driving dynamics when the car comes with a limousine-like rear cabin that features two reclining rear seats complete with an iPad holder and a drinks chiller with crystal glasses.

The luxury sensation continues in the handcrafted cabin with materials like quilted floor coverings and lambwool rugs and there's such a wide variety of exterior and interior trims that every car can be made completely unique.

The London showroom even has a design studio where clients can have consultations to develop their vehicle to their specific tastes.

In all markets except China, the Eterniti Artemis will be sold at the local currency equivalent of £210 000 (R2 929 500), excluding country-specific taxes, but there's no word yet on whether the Eterniti will be wafting around in South Africa any time soon.

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