Auto clubs allow drivers with a taste for luxury to test high-end ...

Bryan Zagaro of Teaneck familiarizes himself with the dashboard controls for the 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo at Vulcan Motors in Chester.

CHANGING NEEDS

Like the cars they crave, the industry's clients come in a variety of molds. There are newlyweds and other one-off customers, like Victoria Kennedy, who once surprised her husband, Sen. Edward Kennedy, on his birthday by renting an Aston Martin Vanquish from Gotham -- the car James Bond drove in "Die Another Day."

Others are would-be buyers who are hesitant about buying an exotic car that could fall steeply in value during a time when the economy is shaky.

"People are becoming commitment-phobic," said Noah Lehmann-Haupt, the founder of Gotham. "They don't want to sign a lease for five or six years. A lot of people don't know what the world will bring them."

Then there are the "ultra-affluent" consumers, generally people with inherited wealth for whom several thousand dollars is "chump change," said Scott Rothbort, a professor of finance at Seton Hall University's Stillman School of Business. "These are people who will drink champagne out of glass slippers," he said.

Perhaps the biggest chunk of business, however, belongs to the class of "aspirational" consumers, who come and go as industries rise and fall. They pass through the exotic car business like it's a revolving door -- entering when they're flush with cash, exiting when their finances dwindle.

"One year it's Wall Street mortgage brokers, the next year it's oil and gas tycoons," Rothbort said.

These days, those customers at Gotham include entrepreneurs, a bill collector, an anti-piracy software developer and a building contractor who got a boost from the economic stimulus, Lehmann-Haupt said. "The reality is, even in a recession, there's always someone doing well," he said.

A NEW KIND OF CLIENT

Meanwhile, at Xotic Dream Cars in Toms River, owner Deric Tikotsky said business has soared 250 percent year-over-year, in part because the recession has ushered in a new kind of client: Former exotic-car owners who were forced to sell the vehicles after losing their money in the stock market.

"They're selling off their cars, they're selling off their boats and they've started renting because they don't want to lose that lifestyle," he said.

In these tough economic times, however, clients are trying to enjoy that kind of lifestyle with more discretion, so as not to appear insensitive. In recent months, Douglas, the wire and cable manufacturer, has avoided driving the glitzy rentals to work because "it wouldn't appear proper to my employees." Instead, he opts for his Porsche 911 Turbo or Mercedes minivan.

And yet, for those who can afford it, resisting an exotic simply because there is a recession takes backseat to the adrenaline rush that comes from having all that horsepower, speed and luxury at their fingertips, Lehmann-Haupt said.

"People still feel the need for an escape," he said. "It's exhausting not to spend money."

Leslie Kwoh may be reached at lkwoh@starledger.com or (973) 392-4147.

Report: Aston Martin One-77 Supercar at Pebble Beach

Report: Aston Martin One-77 Supercar at Pebble Beach

After its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show last March, Aston Martin has kept its One-77 supercar under wraps, until now. Making its U.S. debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, we had a chance to get more familiar with the car at a private event the night before.

When Aston first announced that this flagship supercar would have  carbon chassis and an aluminum body we thought perhaps the PR folks had reversed the order of what they meant to say. But they didn’t.

Feeling like a pure-bred track car, the carbon chassis is exposed as soon as you open the door with carbon side sills and carbon floors. In fact, the driver sits surrounded by the light-weight material. The carbon fiber monocoque, as it’s called, is the same sort of carbon frame used in a Formula 1 car. Aston Martin has combined this high-technology chassis with traditional coachbuilding practices including hand-rolling the aluminum body panels. All this light weight material helped to keep the supercar’s weight down to just 3,300 lbs.

Significant attention was paid to the vehicle’s aerodynamics, and one of Aston’s product experts let us in on an interesting bit of technology found just behind the front fender. Air ducts found there will actually close mechanically at high speeds (around 150 mph) to help reduce lift. Along with a subtle front splitter and massive rear diffuser, the One-77 will gets hidden rear spoiler that pops up at speeds above 100mph.

The motorsorts technology continues elsewhere in the One-77 with a suspension setup similar to a true race car, with horizontal shocks, as opposed to vertical ones. Aston even designed the rear of the car so this setup is visible through the rear glass.

Amazingly, while the One-77 doesn’t look excessively large, it is actually 2 meters wide (5.56 feet). That is wider than a Lamborghini Murciélago! 

Additional racing technology can be found under the hood, where a 7.3-liter V12 engine, topped off with carbon fiber intake manifolds, makes an incredible 750hp.

As the name suggests, just 77 versions of the One-77 will be hand built at a cost of $1.8 million.

GALLERY: Aston Martin One-77

GALLERY: 201 Aston Martin DBS Volante

Fast Impressions: 2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante

The best thing about the DBS Volante is that, top down, you can more thoroughly appreciate the sound of the Aston’s viciously powerful V12 engine.

In town for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Aston Martin had a selection of DBS Volante’s on hand and invited AutoGuide to test out the latest Bond car in Monterey - one of the few places in the world that can make even Monte Carlo look middle-class.

Blasting through the Northern California hills we’re happy to report that due to the DBS’s already extra-potent V12 engine, the added weight in the convertible model doesn’t effect performance… not that you can feel anyway. Making 510hp and 420 ft-lbs of torque it will hit 62 mph in 4.3 seconds… ever-so-slightly slower than the coupe.

One reason for this is that Aston kept the weight gain to a minimum, with a total curb weight of 3,990 lbs. - roughly 250 lbs more then the coupe. That might seem like quite a bit at first but many convertibles, especially hard-top ones, can weigh as much as 500 lbs more than their coupe counterparts. Aston chose the soft top to keep the weight low and retain a useable amount of trunk space. We should also point out that the sub-4,000 lb curb weight is actually very good for a full-sized grand tourer.

And rather than just cut the top off, Aston redesigned the DBS with a new line that runs along the entire length of the car and a new decklid spoiler.

The DBS Volante is one of the few vehicles on the road that’s as nice to look at as it is to drive.

For a full run-down on the DBS Volante be sure to check out our Reviews section later this week. For now we’ll just list some initial impressions:

LOVE IT:

-Intoxicating exhaust note

-Looks that thrill

-No real performance loss on drop-top 

LEAVE IT:

-Annoying backwards gauges

-Tiny gear indicator

GALLERY: 201 Aston Martin DBS Volante

2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

It's the most anticipated weekend in the classic-car world, and Motor Authority is on the glitzy scene in Pebble Beach to bring you nonstop coverage of this weekend's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It's unrivaled in its depth and breadth--and in the stunning displays of truly classic cars. From the Concorso Italiano, to the Quail and the Monterey Historics races, the gathering of vintage machines and drivers comes to a grand conclusion on Sunday, August 16, with the Pebble Beach Concours itself. And this year, as in the past, luxury and performance car companies are bringing their latest wares to the Pebble Beach field, seeking out new clients from the well-heeled crowd along with media coverage.� Some will be instant classics--we're betting the new Bentley sedan and Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport will be among them. It's also our first opportunity at High Gear Media and Motor Authority, to show you what we have in mind for the future of our newest Web site. We've covered car news and spy shots in depth in the past--and going forward, we're going all-out to bring you every detail on the latest high-cholesterol, high-speed, high-rolling machines from the likes of Rolls-Royce to Cadillac, with an occasional right turn down a Shelby or SS alley. You'll get great coverage of the cars that make your pulse race; great photography; first drives and exclusive stories; and more of the breaking spy shots and news you've come to expect. So whether you're a long-time reader or just discovering us for the first time, visit Pebble Beach with us this weekend to see the new sportscars and luxury sedans vying for instant-classic status: News and Photo Galleries Preview: 2011 Infiniti M Motor Authority First Ride: 2011 Hyundai Equus Live from Pebble Beach: 2010 Aston Martin One-77 Video: Devon GTX Sets Unofficial Laguna Seca Lap Record Bugatti Unveils The Grand Sport Sang Bleu At Pebble Beach Jaguar Prices 2010 XJ At Pebble Beach Previews 2010 Jaguar XJ: Sister site TheCarConnection has previewed the new XJ for you; Jaguar shows the aluminum-bodied sedan for the first time in North America during the Pebble Beach weekend. Bentley Arnage replacement: Bentley anxiously awaits its first all-new car since, well, prior to the War to End All Wars. Teasers have been released, but the covers come off the replacement for the Arnage replacement at the Pebble Beach Concours, just before judging begins. We'll have mechanical details, photos and the new name of the new car at noon sharp on Sunday, August 16. 2011 Infiniti M sedan: Nissan's glam brand introduces its next big sedan in Pebble Beach. The brand plans to reveal the shape of the new M to reporters using a virtual technology that projects the new shape on a clay model. The Infiniti Essence concept that ravished Geneva Motor Show audiences will be on display, too, as a reference point for the new M. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport special edition: MotorAuthority drove the new Grand Sport edition of the Bugatti Veyron. In Pebble Beach, Bugatti's expected to show a special version of the 987-hp Grand Sport, which is being offered to the world at a cool $2 million. Aston Martin DBS Volante: It's been available for Aston's clientele for a while; the British sportscar company's offered up a few hours in the Volante for our pleasure. Fisker Karma: For the first time, non-Fisker employees will be able to see the Karma concept hitting the road under its own power. We'll be there with HD cameras in hand. Audi: We're driving the new Audi R8 V10 after Pebble Beach; at the Concours weekend, Audi will celebrate 40 years in America with displays of Auto Union cars and other memorabilia. Porsche: One of the featured marques from this year's Concours, Porsche will have its new Panamera on display along with a broad collection of classics at the Quail event. For more information, visit the Pebble Beach Concours site, and keep your browsers here at MotorAuthority and at TheCarConnection as we cover the new vehicles and the classics from the Pebble Beach weekend. ----------------------- Cruise the High Gear Media network! TheCarConnection for experts reviews of every new vehicle; MotorAuthority for luxury and performance-car news, reviews, and spy shots; GreenCarReports for news and reviews of the latest earth-friendly cars; CelebsandCars to see how the stars roll.

Road Test: Jaguar XKR

The XKR has performace and sophistication even beyond its �78,000 price tag

If you are a true car enthusiast, then you might feel frustrated at waiting so long for our report on the latest Jaguar XKR. So think of it as a build-up to a climax; Jaguar has launched three impressive new engines this year, resulting in numerous new permutations of XFs and XKs, and we could hardly report on them all in quick succession.

The supercharged XFR and the twin-turbo diesel XFD we have covered. The cars powered by the non-turbo V8 we have not, because in the XF's case you're better off with the excellent (and frugal) diesel, and in the XK's case ... well, let's just say the XK V8, fine car as it is in many ways, has strayed from what a grand-touring Jaguar should be.

I'll return to this theme later, but let me first introduce the XKR. I was blown away by the XFR saloon, transfixed by the torrent of effortless energy on tap and the feeling of unflappable security it imparts when travelling quickly on challenging roads. The XKR coup� is about 140kg lighter than the XFR. So fireworks are guaranteed.

Out on the public road I did not reproduce the tyre-smoking cornering style the XKR allows to those able to afford replacement rubber on a regular basis, but on the test track I did indulge my curiosity. First, though, the new XKR as road machine, updated with sharper detailing and the rotary transmission selector from the XF range. Its new V8 engine, exactly five litres in capacity and able to generate 510bhp as well as 461lb/ft of pulling power, has direct fuel injection and the promise of rather better fuel economy than its 4.2-litre, 416bhp predecessor. That peak pulling power arrives at just 2,500rpm and doesn't abate until 5,500rpm.

The Jaguar XKR was a very fast car before, but now it's close to bombastic. All that energy and the relatively light weight, that comes from the aluminium chassis and body structure, make the XKR feel like a car in which mass has been magically spirited away, as if it's being driven on the moon rather than planet Earth.

The engine's efforts are channelled through one of the best automatic transmissions made today, a six-speed unit which can either be left to its own, well-judged devices or controlled manually via paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel. What makes it so good is that the automatic mode is always smooth, unlike that mode when applied to a "robotised manual" transmission as offered in Aston Martin V8s, Lamborghinis, some Maseratis and Ferraris and the Audi R8, yet in manual mode it is virtually as responsive as those cars' systems and gives a similarly well-judged blip of the throttle to smooth the downshifts.

More than ever before, the XKR feels like a supercar of an ability and sophistication far beyond its price of between £72,400 for the coup� to £78,400 for the convertible. But with the new adaptive damping system for the suspension, continuously variable instead of switching between two settings, comes a firmness over bumps at the upper end of what a Jaguar owner's expectation range would consider tolerable.

That's acceptable for the hardish-core XKR, but the regular XK now shares much of this firmness and the much-admired ability of a Jaguar to "breathe" over bumpy roads has been sacrificed. Anyway, switch the "Jaguar Drive Control" to Trac DSC, and the stability systems are loosened and the XKR's "active" differential can show its metal's mettle. This, like Ferrari's E-diff and a similar Audi system, alters the torque-split between the rear wheels to ensure they always help the car to aim in the optimum direction without triggering the slowing-down effect of a stability system which relies on brakes.

On the road, it makes the XKR wonderfully interactive with your steering and accelerator inputs. On the track, the DSC still intervenes too readily so you turn it right off. Then you can drift the XKR as though it's an old-fashioned racing car, and make as much tyre smoke as you dare. All that torque, all that subtlety of control, all that beauty: the XKR is hardly cheap, but nothing comes close for the money.

THE RIVALS

Aston Martin V8 Vantage: from £83,191. Now with 4.7-litre engine and 420bhp, Vantage remains a beautiful car with enjoyable handling. Harder work to drive than XKR.

BMW M6: from £83,700. At 507bhp, comes close to Jaguar power, but uses V10 engine and high revs. Transmission complex and not always smooth, sound amazing, fun considerable.

Maserati GranTurismo S: £88,005. V8 with 433bhp, hot on pace and aural drama. It's the car the GranTurismo should have been from the start, but lacks XKR's musclepower.

Up Close with Jaeger-LeCoultre's AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing

Up Close with Jaeger-LeCoultre's AMVOX2 Chronograph Racing

by Jonathon Ramsey Aug 14th 2009 at 12:01PM

Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin have been together for more than fifty years, ever since Aston won its first Le Mans in 1959 with a DBR1 sporting a Jaeger clock. The two companies began to make the most of that partnership only a few years ago, when Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the AMVOX1.

The second generation timepieces -- easily remembered as AMVOX2 -- begin with this, the AMVOX2 Chronograph. The vertical-trigger chronograph is the first of its kind to dispense with push-buttons: the timing mechanism can be stopped, started, and reset by pressing on the upper and lower edges of the sapphire crystal face. The chronograph functions can also be locked in position with the 3-position slider on the right.

Other details surrounding Jaeger-LeCoultre's Chronograph Caliber 751B include the red lever mechanism between 4 and 8'o'clock, and black applique numbers on a satin-finish dial that mask the white discs of the chronograph. You can peruse the details of Jaeger's AMVOX2 and survey the five years of timepieces the partnership has produced below.

Gallery: Jaeger's AMVOX Watch Collection

PRESS RELEASE

AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept
Jaeger-LeCoultre's most dramatic innovation: the Vertical-Trigger Chronograph.

By introducing the second generation watch in the AMVOX collection, Jaeger-LeCoultre once again redefines high watchmaking standards and sets a new milestone in its partnership with Aston Martin. AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept will stun technical enthusiasts and watch connoisseurs alike with its latest patented technical breakthrough: the vertical-trigger chronograph. This ingenious mechanism makes it possible to start, stop and reset the chronograph simply by pressing on the sapphire crystal of the watch case, so there is no need for push buttons. Issued in limited editions, AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept brings together powerful design and daring performance, making it truly the ultimate driver's watch.

AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept is a clear demonstration of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre at its very best, able to combine high-tech engineering with the finest watchmaking expertise.

Revolutionary innovation
In keeping with its spirit of breakthrough innovation in fine watchmaking, Jaeger-LeCoultre is revolutionizing the sports watch segment with its vertical-trigger chronograph system: gone are the 'traditional' push-pieces so characteristic of chronographs. They are replaced by an amazing new mechanism that makes it possible to start, stop and reset the timer device simply by pressing on the watch's crystal sapphire surface. An absolute first in the world of fine watchmaking. With this new patented device, Jaeger-LeCoultre's recently developed Chronograph Caliber 751B will be even easier to use.

AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept will forever change the way the performance-minded driver will interact with his watch. Just as effortless as pressing the Engine Start button in an Aston Martin car, the lucky owner of an AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept will be able to trigger and disengage the chronograph function with a simple and completely instinctive movement: by pressing on the sapphire crystal at the 12 o'clock position. To reset, the driver will simply press on the crystal at the 6 o'clock mark.

An exceptional new integrated mechanism
Behind this unparalleled ease of use is the high-tech engineering of AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept and a completely new integrated mechanical system. Inside, a clever ball-joint system allows both the case and bezel to pivot away from the shoulders of the watch, activating a series of levers that instantly transmit impulses that control the chronograph. Each lever is mounted on a miniature stainless-steel ball bearing containing seven 0.1mm-diameter balls.

A three-position cursor rounds off this revolutionary construction. When positioned on the side of the case at 9 o'clock, this selection device locks the chronograph so that it is not triggered, disengaged or reset with the driver's normal or inadvertent hand or arm motions.

A powerful design inspired by cutting-edge engineering
AMVOX2's design features reveal the creativity and beauty of Jaeger-LeCoultre's watchmaking savoir-faire.
The luminescent black appliquéd numbers around the dial could only have been dreamt up by a design team passionate about the power and soul of Aston Martin cars. The 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph dials on luminescent white discs stand out clearly on the watch face, recalling the awesome headlights of an Aston Martin car or that invigorating feeling as the dashboard counters light up during at night.

The dark-hued highlight that runs around the dial is interrupted only between 4 and 8 o'clock in order to provide a glimpse of the astonishing lever mechanism that controls the functioning of the chronograph – distinctively red, it is reminiscent of the most striking of the optional colours for Aston Martin's brake calipers.

The detailing achieves a degree of perfection that even the most demanding Aston Martin connoisseur might hardly imagine possible: the emblematic dark grey colours of the sports car brand; the dial with its circular satin finish, similar to the surface effect of the brake disks; the five markers on the highlight band, inspired by the DB9's dashboard instruments; the refined contrasts between shiny and matte, reminiscent of the
attractive co-existence of polished chromes and sand-moulded engine parts. Of course all of the above along with the distinctive 270 degree sweep of the dial, recalling the historic Jaeger automobile counters, remain true to the stunning yet understated design identity of Jaeger-LeCoultre's AMVOX collection.

A high-performance mechanism
AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept combines extraordinary mechanical innovation with the qualities of reliability, sturdiness, longevity and precision that are the hallmarks of all Jaeger-LeCoultre mechanisms. Powered by the new Calibre Jaeger-LeCoultre 751B, AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept is a watch of exceptionally daring character. The 72-hour power reserve increases still further the length of time during which the watch can be relied on to function with optimum accuracy. Meanwhile, a complex column-wheel (a defining feature in high-end chronographs) and an extremely sophisticated vertical coupling system guarantee the chronograph's accuracy. The adjustment of the balance wheel's inertia thanks to the presence of four screws on its felly ensures the
setting remains stable in all conditions. Finally, the rotor's ball bearing contains ceramic balls providing the clear advantage of never needing lubrication, thus further enhancing the watch's long-term reliability.

Limited series
AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept will be launched in three limited series. There will be an edition of 250 in titanium, with a particularly high-tech aesthetic, endowing the watch with a striking personality. The steel and titanium case is covered in a slick black coating of titanium oxide sealed with silicium oxide, an immediate and highly recognizable visual cue to the watch's technical prowess. This will be accompanied by two other versions: the first is an edition of 750 in titanium with brushed and polished finishes; the second, a limited series of 200, marries a titanium case with a platinum bracket. The high-quality individual design and technical detailing makes each of these series unique. In every aspect, AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept is a revolutionary limited series by Jaeger-LeCoultre to be reckoned with by pace-setting technical enthusiasts and watch connoisseurs alike.

AMVOX2 Chronograph Concept epitomizes the values shared by Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin, the highest level of fine watchmaking prowess, powerful design and daring performance. Simply, the ultimate driver's watch.

Tags: amvox, amvox2, amvox2 chronograph, Amvox2Chronograph, aston martin, AstonMartin, chronograph, jaeger lecoultre, jaeger-lecoultre, JaegerLecoultre, timepiece, watch

Filed under: Timepieces

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Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Rapide for Aston Martin

The Aston Martin Rapide Sports Car Offers a Customized Automotive Sound System by Bang & OlufsenThe four-door Aston Martin Rapide sports car combines a commitment to power, beauty and soul with space and practicality for every eventuality -- the same can be said for Bang & Olufsen's tailor-made BeoSound Rapide sound system provided in this exceptional car. Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Rapide continues a tradition of innovation established by two brands with an unrivalled history of design and engineering excellence within their respective fields. Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen share a common approach. Both companies were founded by pioneering engineers at the beginning of the 20th century, and through a commitment to unique design values, technology and manufacturing skills, each has grown into a global icon, bringing together technological and design excellence with the strongest possible emotional appeal. A new icon Everything about The Rapide looks lovingly sculpted, and is wrought of the finest materials. With such a work of art, it takes a sound system, which is extraordinary in every respect, to complete the experience. And this is exactly what Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Rapide does. The BeoSound Rapide sound system will be available in the eagerly anticipated sports car from the start of production, with 15 active speakers and a total amplifier power of more than 1,000 Watts. All the speakers are mounted in closed cabinets to optimise the sound and provide absolute clarity and precision, and also to prevent the sound from escaping the car. The well known Bang & Olufsen magic is provided by the two acoustic lenses which emerge automatically from the dashboard when the system is activated. The BeoSound Rapide system is 100% integrated with the control unit in the car, and the system is able to detect how many passengers there are in the car and automatically adjust the sounds focus accordingly. The adjustment will happen when the seatbelts are plugged in at the different seats in the car. For such a versatile car as the Aston Martin Rapide this is a very convenient feature that offers a unique sound experience to all passengers at all times. Intelligent technology The BeoSound Rapide system incorporates proprietary ICEpower® technology; a fusion of high output power and hi-fi sound quality with ultra-compact design and low power consumption. The motorised tweeter units demonstrate Bang & Olufsen's patented and automatically operated ALT (Acoustic Lens Technology), with their placement enabling 180° horizontal dispersion of high frequency sounds, giving listeners an improved sense of space, staging and realism regardless of their location in the car. As Bang & Olufsen automotive sound systems also adapt automatically to changing noise conditions, there is no need to turn the volume up or down due to a change in the wonderful engine sound or changing road or weather conditions. The system takes care of the volume and adapts the level of bass, mid-range and treble according to the vehicle's speed and noise conditions in the cabin. These noise conditions are constantly monitored by means of an integrated microphone. The result is that the driver and any passenger can concentrate on the pleasure of the driving and listening experience. Through the use of pioneering acoustic competencies and proprietary technologies such as these, Bang & Olufsen has - in conjunction with Aston Martin - established the perfect relationship between the sound system and the unique aluminium structure of the car, resulting in an incomparable ambience. This ensures the listener is enveloped and engaged in a complete acoustic experience which effortlessly complements the outstanding power and supreme balance, handling and ride that are hallmarks of an Aston Martin. Designed to match BeoSound Rapide is the embodiment of the art of shaping sound to the interior contours of performance cars, focusing not only on horsepower or output power, but on the overall experience and musicality in every sense of the word. The system was developed exclusively for Aston Martin to be perfectly matched to the Rapide, both acoustically and physically. The BeoSound Rapide design -- which builds on the already known concepts from the BeoSound DBS, DB9 and Vantage - follows the inherent quality and understated beauty of the car, with smoothly contoured, aluminium loudspeaker grilles that integrate seamlessly into the hand crafted interior. Both Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen appreciate the value of individuality. Bang & Olufsen ensures the human element is integral at every stage of the design and manufacturing processes, from the key role played by the sound designers to the hand finished products. Aston Martin takes the same approach: All their cars carry the name plate of the engineer who completes the final inspection. Together, Bang & Olufsen and Aston Martin present another product enhancing the partnership of two innovative companies with a proud tradition in technology and design. Both Bang & Olufsen and Aston Martin blend an unrelenting quest for technical excellence with an uncompromising commitment to quality and style, and both have the courage to go far beyond the conventional. About the Rapide The Rapide is Aston Martin's first true production four-door sports car blending elegance, the practicality of four seats and large boot space with an uncompromised sporting feel. The car which sits low and appears agile even when at a stand still provides each occupant with the customary level of refinement and comfort expected of an Aston Martin. The Rapide will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow in September 2009. About Bang & Olufsen Automotive Bang & Olufsen Automotive offers its partners car audio systems with unprecedented sound quality and listening pleasure for the driver and passengers. In addition to the company's traditional craft skills within manufacturing and aluminium finishing, the systems incorporate the radical synthesis of emotional appeal and technological performance that has long been the hallmark of Bang & Olufsen. For the 2008/09 financial year, Bang & Olufsen Automotive achieved a turnover of DKK 174 million against DKK 123 million for the same period last year. The launch of the BeoSound Rapide will contribute to the continued positive development of Bang & Olufsen Automotive.

Supercar sting netted conman £45k in cash

A CONMAN who sold a car dealer a £65,000 Aston Martin he had stolen minutes earlier was “hopelessly addicted” to gambling.

Neil Taylor had tried to go straight but couldn’t kick a gambling addiction he had had for years, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Owen Williams, defending, said Taylor had struggled to put his terrible past behind him when he was last released from jail in October 2006.

“He’d learned a trade inside – became a plasterer – met a woman who is now his fiancee and took his young son to live with them,” Mr Williams told the court.

“He was enjoying family life earning a good and honest wage but at the same time he was also hopelessly addicted to gambling.

“He’s been a gambler all his life and can’t shake it off and this time his losses added up to £80,000”.

It was with that debt hanging over him that Taylor came into contact with Christina Evans who had started buying gold as a hobby, the prosecution said.

When Taylor replied to her advert and offered 23 Krugerrands for £22,500 she took the cash to Tesco with two Irish friends.

“He was smartly dressed and in his Mercedes and said his name was Nathan,” prosecutor Richard Evans said.

“He took Mrs Evans and her husband to his home in High Street, Tonyrefail, then left them there saying he had to collect the gold.

“They were still sitting there when another man burst in saying ‘Quick, get everything out, Nathan’s been arrested’.

“The money was never seen again”

A week later, on April 21, Taylor met self-employed jeweller Ramid Javi who he also drove home and persuaded to go in for a cup of tea before vanishing with £13,860.

Then in May he answered an advert from Aston Martin owner Cosmo Lloyd who was offering his car for sale for £65,000.

Mr Evans said: “He agreed the price and when they met naturally wanted a test drive.”

But Taylor had already set up a meeting with car dealer Anthony Aitkin just off the M4 at Pencoed.

“Unfortunately, Mr Lloyd was caught short and while he was in the service station lavatory, the defendant drove off to his pre-arranged meeting with Mr Aitkin who handed him £45,000 cash and then sold the car for £47,500 and had to reimburse his buyer.”

Taylor was arrested in Haverfordwest with £40,000 cash still on him. The car was returned to its original owner.

Mr Williams said: “He was bound to be caught – the gambling had made him desperate.

“His son, now a teenager, knew nothing of his past – he is ashamed he’s had to see him like this”.

Taylor admitted theft and fraud charges.

Jailing him for four years, Judge Stephen Hopkins QC told the crook: “You are a silver-tongued and plausible conman.

Salon Privé 2009 – London's Lifestyle, Luxury Supercar Show

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Now in its fourth running, Salon Priv� this year rose to the occasion and provided a stylish, three-day function for London-based car enthusiasts. The format was similar to years past � different, themed days are split into �lunch + afternoon� and �evening�. There�s a black tie dinner, champagne, lobster, a Ladies Day and much more; you know, all the sort of stuff that we like. Over 4200 guests enjoyed it this year (a 28 per cent increase on 2008) and, when the weather held fine, it made for a very pleasant day out.
Salon Priv� is based at the Hurlingham Club in London, for many years the home to the Louis Vuitton Concours and one of the capital�s most exclusive private members� clubs. The event is a little like the Monterey-week affairs; you pay up and enjoy hot-and-cold-running food and drink until you can take no more. The emphasis is on luxury cars new and old, with the Friday allocated to a high-level concours d�elegance. New car manufacturers like Salon Priv� as it gives them the opportunity of showing brand new models to an audience that is genuinely likely to buy them. Rather than merely collect a brochure for the kids, that is. New this year was the latest Jaguar XJ saloon, the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Aston Martin�s amazing million-euro One-77. There were a good selection of current production Aston Martins, Maseratis, Morgans and Mercedes McLaren SLRs, too.

During the day, it was a matter of soaking in the priceless Thames-side atmosphere, while in the evening there are guest speakers, formal dinners and dancing. Celebrities present included arch-car enthusiast Jay Kay of Jamiroquai, the Maserati-driving supermodel Jodie Kidd, BBC F1 commentator and ex-GP and Le Mans driver Martin Brundle. Derek Bell was master of ceremonies for the Friday classic car concours � an event won by a 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder that beat some pretty impressive Lamborghinis, Maseratis and Astons.





Nice cars, attractive people in a luxury setting � who needs the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham?































Text: Steve Wakefield Photos: Salon Priv� / David BrooksClassicInside - The Classic Driver NewsletterFree Subscription!

Aston Martin Asia Cup: Highly Charged Races See A Change Of Leader

Posted by: MSulka on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 06:15 PM Dixon Wins At Mid-Ohio, Now Leads IndyCar All-time Win List By Anne ProffitGanassi IndyCar driver Scott Dixon celebrates his victory with teammate Dario Franchitti who finished third.Credit: PaddockTalk/Paul Hurley

Scott Dixon posted a dominating, 29.7803-second victory in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and secured his 20th Indy Racing League IndyCar Series victory, giving the reigning champion sole possession of the most wins in series history. He passed Sam Hornish Jr., who held that distinction with 19 IRL victories until today.

Dixon took the lead (for the final time) from Justin Wilson on the 37th lap – using rolling chicane Milka Duno to accomplish the feat – and, aside from pit stop swaps that made the five lead changes between three drivers, Briscoe, Wilson and Dixon, the winner leading the most laps, 51.

Dixon made his fourth win of the season look easy as he ran the last portion of the race on the primary tire while many of his pursuers opted for the optional, red Firestone Firehawk rubber.

“The car was great from the get-go,” he said. Dixon only used his Honda button seven of an available 15 times in posting this victory. “It helped in a few circumstances but I never used it when I wasn’t actually racing somebody. The button helped with gearshifts and on the back straight we were about a mile and a half quicker” than without it. Read more... (12640 bytes more) Hot News! · USA-Mexico FIFA World Cup Qualifying Delivers Record Audience for ESPN Deportes (Aug 14, 2009)· Grand-Am To Hold Special Test At Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Aug 13, 2009)· Michigan: JTG NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview (Aug 13, 2009)· MIS Unveils New And Improved Infield Bus To Lucky Fan (Aug 13, 2009)· Aston Martin Asia Cup: Highly Charged Races See A Change Of Leader (Aug 13, 2009)· Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge Awards Ceremony Joins Rolex Champions Banquet (Aug 13, 2009)· MX-5 Cup Round Seven Heads to Road America (Aug 13, 2009)· RCR To Celebrate 40th Anniversary Fan Day (Aug 13, 2009)· Road America: Risi Competizione Ferrari ALMS Race Preview (Aug 13, 2009)· Wood Brothers Sporting New Colors And Sponsor At Michigan NASCAR Sprint Cup Race (Aug 13, 2009)· F2: Natacha Gachnang Targets Top Ten At Donington (Aug 13, 2009)· Road America: Team CytoSport ALMS Race Preview (Aug 13, 2009)· Michigan: Robby Gordon NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Preview (Aug 13, 2009)· F1 Analyst Matchett Gets Unprecedented Access Behind The Scenes At Ferrari HQ (Aug 13, 2009)· FIA Presidential Candidate Ari Vatanen Announces Cabinet Members (Aug 13, 2009)· U R Fired (Aug 13, 2009)· F1: Canadian Grand Prix A Done Deal ??? (Aug 13, 2009)· Brno's MotoGP Weekend Warms Up With Thursday Activities (Aug 13, 2009)· Announcement - Engines Sealed For New MotoGP Class Regulation (Aug 13, 2009)· Road America: Patron Highcroft ALMS Race Preview (Aug 13, 2009)· TRG Takes Rolex Koni Porsche To Trois-Rivieres (Aug 13, 2009)· Road America: Bryce Miller ALMS Race Preview (Aug 13, 2009)· Atlantic Championship Battle Moves North of the Border to Grand-Prix de Trois-Rivieres (Aug 13, 2009)· IOC Approves New Events For 2012 London Olympic Games (Aug 13, 2009)· Michigan International Speedway Implements Fan Texting Service In Grandstands (Aug 13, 2009) Latest Road Test · Road Test: 2009 Chrysler Town & Country Touring and Dodge Grand Caravan (Jun 30, 2009) [ Click Me ] Past Articles Sunday, August 09 ·

Euro: Sims enjoys Aston Martin test

Euro: Sims enjoys Aston Martin test While preparing for his return to the F3 Euro Series this weekend at the Nurburgring, Alexander Sims is still revelling from his first taste of sportscar action having tested the Aston Martin GT1 at Donington Park last Thursday.Sims' opportunity to test the factory-run Aston Martin was part of his prize package in winning the 2008 McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, where he also currently awaits a test drive in a McLaren-Mercedes F1 car.Having received the call from Prodrive to get to Donington Park last week, Sims duly headed there for a shot at unleashing the ex-Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar on the Grand Prix Circuit.“I was excited to get this test and again I'd like to thank Autosport and Aston Martin for giving me the opportunity,” stated Sims. “While I'm focused on a career in single-seaters, it was a great experience to sample the Aston Martin GT1 car. Not many drivers get to test a factory-backed entry like that and very few drivers of my age and experience are afforded such an opportunity!“I was pretty comfortable with the car, having tyre warmers on – which I wasn't expecting, allowed me to get on it fairly quickly and push the limits in my first few laps. I was given three five-lap runs on the day so being able to push immediately allowed me to really maximize the opportunity. I ended up half a second quicker than the benchmark time which was pleasing to me, I think I did a good job, and from what I hear the team were happy as well!”The significance of being a British driver, in a British sportscar on a famed British circuit, wasn't lost on the F3 rookie either.“As I've said, not many people get to drive an Aston Martin GT1 and one as iconic looking as the Gulf-liveried sportscar,” Sims added. “It was a pretty special feeling for me and actually the first time I've driven a British race car of any kind! It was a great car to drive, it reacted in the way that I thought it would with the downforce probably being the thing that surprised me most. “Off the back of this I'd definitely consider some sportscar outings to gain some further experience provided they didn't clash with my single-seater commitments. My sole aim is F1 but additional opportunities to gain race experience are definitely worth taking a look at.”Sims, who races for Mücke Motorsport, returns to the F3 Euro Series this week keen to build on his back-to-back point finishes in Oschersleben earlier this month.With a podium to his credit already in his rookie year, the Cambridgeshire racer currently sits eighth in the points.

1991 Aston Martin Virage Coupe

1991 Aston Martin Virage Coupe Rare Manual Gearbox Excellent Condition New project forces sale of nice original example of a lovely car, the last generation of the traditional coachbuilt Newport Pagnell cars, the Aston Martin Virage, Fitted from new with the rare 5 speed manual gearbox option, one of approximately 50 from a total build of 350 and owned by and registered to and me for three years as part of a small collection of Aston Martins, the vehicle is being supplied with no outstanding finance or known accident damage, a full service history, and all legal documents. There is no outstanding finance and it is HPI clear. Finished in special order Brewster Green with magnolia leather piped in green, it has been fitted with later brakes and upgraded 17" wheels from the Volante with excellent tyres. The car has covered a documented 55000 mls and is supplied with a full history including it's original stamped Aston service voucher book showing work from the factory and various well-known specialists. The original driver's handbook, radio and alarm documentation, information from previous owners and two sets of keys are also included. Please note that the 3138 UK number illustrated is not in cluded. it has been removed and replaced with a correct age related "H" plate. The car is supplied fully serviced with an MOT test to April 2010 and taxed to September 2009. This is a stunning car and represents excellent value as a starter Aston, the new price in 1991 was in excess of £135,000. The overall look and feel of the car is of being an excellent well maintained example that starts, runs and drives well.

Part Exchange: Fabia VRS, Jensen 541 or Interceptor, MGC GT, WHY? + cash

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Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 and Aston Martin DB2 to be auctioned

Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 and Aston Martin DB2 to be auctioned 12 August 2009 Building upon the success of their recent record-breaking Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event in Maranello, Italy, RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, will proudly return to England on October 28th for the distinguished Automobiles of London event at Battersea Park. Over the past three years this stylish event has attracted discerning collectors from around the world, emerging as one of Europe’s leading collector car events for the highest quality automobiles. This year’s event is set to continue the momentum with over 75 of the world’s finest collector cars set to go under the hammer. Amongst early highlights are a very rare, remarkable 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I ‘Jarvis Torpedo’, a unique 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Boattail Skiff, and a hugely historic 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car, which is coming to market for the first time in 53 years. “Both Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce are quintessentially English, making these cars perfect for our London sale,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe in describing the early consignments. “The Rolls-Royce Phantom I has a magnificent history and provenance, while the Aston Martin DB2 is undoubtedly the most significant and original Aston Martin Factory team car ever to be offered at public auction. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer both at our upcoming London sale,” he added. The elegant, streamlined 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I ‘Jarvis Torpedo’, chassis number 17EX, boasts a rich history. One of only three experimental chassis produced by Rolls-Royce at the time, 17EX was completed and sold new to Maharaja Hari Sigh Bahadur, ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, who kept the car until 1932. The car remained in India up until 1976 when it was shipped to Europe. Beautifully restored, 17EX has since been shown on numerous occasions, including at the distinguished 1996 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where it was awarded the Trofeo Rolls-Royce award for the most elegant Rolls-Royce, followed by an appearance at Pebble Beach in 2004 where it was displayed as part of the marque’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Joining 17EX at the Battersea auction will be a unique 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Boattail Skiff, chassis number 54PB, which is well known in Rolls-Royce circles and regarded as one of the most instantly recognizable of all Rolls-Royces. Another notable early consignment for the London auction is the 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car ‘VMF 64’, which boasts an impressive race history, including Le Mans and Mille Miglia provenance. Retained by the factory for five years and employed by Aston Martin Chairman, David Brown as his personal transport in the 1950 – 1955 era, VMF 64 is regarded as the most successful of the three early Team DB2 sports cars. Over the years it has been driven by such period greats as Abecassis, Macklin, Sommer and Brackenbury, and its competition career has included two Le Mans, two Mille Miglias, two Alpine Rallies and one Ulster TT, Shelsley Walsh and Silverstone event. Notably, in 1951 it finished third overall at Le Mans. In 1956, after the Factory’s conversion to fast road specification, David Brown sold VMF 64 to his friend, the Honourable Gerald Lascelles who at the time was the President of the B.R.D.C. This example has remained in the family’s ownership for the past 53 years. The October 28th event will also present a rare, historically important 1962 Chaparral 1 Sports Racing Car, chassis number C1-004, one of only five built; a right-hand drive Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, the only right-hand-drive example ever made; a stylish 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750; and a magnificent series of cars from the renowned Dutch collector, Mr. Edgar Schermerhorn, boasting awe-inspiring coachwork and fascinating provenance. Highlights from the Schermerhorn Collection set to go under the hammer include: a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato, a 1932 Lancia Astura Limousine by Boneschi and a 1947 Cisitalia 202 Cabriolet. Proudly presented by RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, the Automobiles of London event will be held October 28th, 2009 at Battersea Evolution, London, England. A full day preview will be held October 27th, 2009 from 10.00am – 5.00pm GMT, followed by all the auction action on October 28th from 3.00pm GMT. Admission to the event is by catalog only which is available for £70 and admits two. For further information, to discuss consignment opportunities, or for further information on early consignments, visit rmauctions.com.

Preview: 2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante

David Booth drives the 2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante.Photograph by: National Post, CNS

Gaydon, England: Andy Haslam may be the luckiest twentysomething in England. Made redundant by Ford, the 28 year old managed to catch on with a small automotive firm in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Initially, starting as a lowly technology planner, he’s worked his way up to project leader.

But that’s not what makes him so fortunate. The reason he’s so lucky is that the little English firm with which he has landed happens to be Aston Martin, and the car he oversees is the DBS Volante, the storied marque’s new topline convertible.

Of course, the only one luckier than Haslam is Yours Truly. While he had to slave for months to finally enjoy the fruits of his labour, my mandate is to pop into the DBS just as quick as you please and then thrash it until it either impresses my jaded self or submits in the process.

I’ll stick with the former, thank you. For those with a short memory, I was previously very impressed with my time in the DBS Coupe, the Volante’s predecessor. Six litres of high-revving, double overhead cam V12 bristling with 510 brake horsepower (as the Brits call them) is hard to argue with, especially when it’s accompanied by an exhaust note that could have been written by Chopin or Wagner.

I have to admit to a degree of shallowness here since one of the main reasons I so loved the DBS is the sound emanating from its twin oval exhaust pipes.

Part Ferrari scream, part Corvette thunder, the DBS growls menacingly at low speed — and then howls like a banshee as it passes 4,000 rpm and a flap in its exhaust system opens so that its full melody might be enjoyed by occupants and passersby alike. So enthralled was I in my original road test that I drove most everywhere with the windows down — the better to listen to the chorus — even though it was a particularly cold week in May.

In the Volante, the effect is even more delicious since there’s a completely open roof, not just a measly window, providing access to that marvellous exhaust note. Yes, I know that reading about how good a car sounds makes for a seemingly facile reason to laud a $310,100 automobile (that’s for the base car with its six-speed manual transmission; the six-speed Touchtronic automatic costs $4,000 more), but for true lovers of the internal combustion engine, the DBS’s cacophony is pure aural delight.

As for the rest of the car, it is essentially a Coupe with its top lopped off. That’s not meant as an insult since the DBS Coupe is brilliant and the car was designed from the outset for both body styles. Other than a slightly more robust rear suspension subframe, the Volante needs no further frame stiffening despite the loss of its roof. Over some extremely lumpy English B-roads, there was no perceptible cowl shake whatsoever, even after selecting the seriously firm suspension setting.

The aforementioned stiff suspension also makes the Aston Martin extremely nimble for something originally intended for more sedate grand touring.

Despite having some if its big V12 mounted ahead of the front axle — not so good for weight distribution — the DBS proves remarkably adept at navigating tight turns at sports car speeds, either neatly with the traction nanny engaged or more dramatically when the incessant nuisance is shut off. Even in its convertible form, the DBS is the one DB9 variant that feels as if it might be comfortable being flung around a race track at speed.

It certainly has the moxie for it. Besides all that glorious bellowing, the 6.0L V12 does an admirable job of motivating the 1,810-kilogram Volante.

Aston Martin claims a zero-to-100-kilometres-an-hour time of 4.3 seconds. This is impressive indeed, although it doesn’t capture the eagerness of the 12 pistons scurrying to their 7,000 rpm redline. Equally admirable but far more illegal is its 307 km/h top speed, testament that the DBS’s beautiful, organic curves are as aerodynamic as they are sensual.

Making sure the DBS can harness all that power is a set of standard Brembo brakes (six pistons up front, four pots in the rear) clamping on to high-tech carbon ceramic discs. The latter look to be the size of manhole covers and, at 398 millimetres in diameter, the front discs require 20-inch wheels to fit.

Inside the Aston, the materials are all exquisite — as befits any automobile costing almost as much as my house. Four cows or so sacrificed their epidermis so one Aston Martin interior can be lined and it is, as I can attest from visiting the company’s manufacturing facility in Gaydon, all hand-stitched by little old ladies wearing spectacles. The electronic key has crystal inlays and the gearshift knob is beautifully polished aluminum, cool to the touch and easy to shift through its six gears despite a clutch that insists on engaging quite late in its travel.

But the centrepiece of the new Volante’s cabin is a Bang & Olufsen audio system boasting 1,000 watts, no less than 13 speakers and the same pop-up tweeters as the B&O system in Audi’s S8. Without comparing them back to back, I can’t tell you which system is better, but one of them is the best car audio system in the world.

This is why the 2010 DBS Volante is the car I would buy if I had stupid money. When it is too cold for a top-down operetta of 12-cylinder exhaust music, I can just listen to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody at ear-splitting volumes and comfort myself with the warmth of British leather and hand-laid carbon fibre.

I really need to make more money.

dbooth@nationalpost.com

2009 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe MKII CSX9000

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Article Type: In Brief | Tags: SHELBY, COBRA, DAYTONA, COUPE

2009 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe MKII CSX9000

The long-awaited new CSX 9000 series Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe MKII with a number of improvements, upgrades and new features has arrived in the USA. The new model will be allocated CSX9000 series chassis numbers and will come complete with a Shelby-issued MSO certificate and Chassis tag.

“The new CSX 9000 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe will replace the SPF Daytona Coupe and this famous marque will in future only be marketed as a Shelby product,” says Lance Stander, President of Shelby Distribution USA of Irvine, CA.

The new models are available with a fiber glass body or aluminum-body.

“Every CSX 9000 series Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe will be listed in the Shelby World Registry, making this new addition to Carroll Shelby’s stable of sports cars a collector’s dream. The new Coupe will feature Shelby signature door handles and seat covers, and the stopping power for the powerful Coupe will be provided by Shelby branded brakes.”

Asked how the Coupe had had progressed from a Shelby-approved replica of the original World famous Shelby Cobra Daytona CSX2000 series Coupe, that in 1965 won the World Manufacturers Championship, Stander said market requirements had demanded that the new model be upgraded and improved in a manner that would make it worthy of the Shelby appellate.

“A sports car with the heritage and image of the Coupe begged for improvements and new features to make it a worthy contender in the market in which it already is one of the most sought after contenders. This awareness led to the development of the CSX 9000 series,” says Stander.

In order to increase the clearance between the driver’s head and the roof as well as between the driver’s left hand and the A-post, the seats were repositioned and the steering wheel moved over to the right. This created a much more comfortable seating environment.

New external door handles do not mar the sleek look of the coachwork and facilitates entry without the use of a remote key, and the doors are fitted with electric windows.

The side air intakes behind the doors now form part of the rear panel behind the B-pillars with an added quarter vent style window. In addition to improved interior air flow, visibility has been significantly improved.

Gear heads will be delighted with the improved front and rear independent suspension.
This development includes the replacement of the rose joints with ball joints, and the new design facilitates the adjustment of camber, caster and toe adjustment up front, as well as easy camber and toe adjustment at the rear.

To eliminate noise, the front and rear anti-roll bars have been redesigned, the chassis has been stiffened and a new fuel tank with internal baffles incorporates a swirl pot design.

To improve oil cooling the oil cooler has been separated from the radiator and fitted in an area with adequate air flow, the radiator core diameter has been increased and more efficient radiator fans are fitted.

“With the high ambient temperature in most of the USA in summer, and the congestion on our roads, adequate engine and oil cooling are “must haves” in an auto that is as comfortable cruising along at 20 mph or when hugging the corners at well over a 100 mph!” remarked Stander.

In keeping with modern design, the heater and climate controls for the air-conditioning have no cables and are operated via servo units, the side muffler pipes have been increased in diameter to ensure a deeper rumble, and the wheel wells have been adapted to accommodate 18 inch, deep dish Shelby Cobra style rims.

“Although the new Coupe shares all the visual magic of the original, the new CSX 9000 series is just so much more sophisticated and will have enormous appeal in the market for full-blooded American retro-styled sports cars,” said Stander.

The first two new Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupes have already been delivered. The order book is filling up fast, and Shelby dealers are now taking orders for later deliveries. Production will initially be limited to two units per month.

The MSRP of the fiber glass bodied CSX 9000 is $89,900.00 TKM and the aluminum-bodied model will be offered at $195,900.00 TKM. Orders can be placed by following this lead to the Shelby dealers’ web site.

2009 Pebble Beach Concours Preview

It's the most anticipated weekend in the classic-car world, and Motor Authority is on the glitzy scene in Pebble Beach to bring you nonstop coverage of this weekend's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It's unrivaled in its depth and breadth--and in the stunning displays of truly classic cars. From the Concorso Italiano, to the Quail and the Monterey Historics races, the gathering of vintage machines and drivers comes to a grand conclusion on Sunday, August 16, with the Pebble Beach Concours itself. And this year, as in the past, luxury and performance car companies are bringing their latest wares to the Pebble Beach field, seeking out new clients from the well-heeled crowd along with media coverage.� Some will be instant classics--we're betting the new Bentley sedan and Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport will be among them. It's also our first opportunity at High Gear Media and Motor Authority, to show you what we have in mind for the future of our newest Web site. We've covered car news and spy shots in depth in the past--and going forward, we're going all-out to bring you every detail on the latest high-cholesterol, high-speed, high-rolling machines from the likes of Rolls-Royce to Cadillac, with an occasional right turn down a Shelby or SS alley. You'll get great coverage of the cars that make your pulse race; great photography; first drives and exclusive stories; and more of the breaking spy shots and news you've come to expect. So whether you're a long-time reader or just discovering us for the first time, visit Pebble Beach with us this weekend as we show you all these new machines vying for instant-classic status, live from 17-Mile Drive: 2010 Jaguar XJ: Sister site TheCarConnection has previewed the new XJ for you; Jaguar shows the aluminum-bodied sedan for the first time in North America during the Pebble Beach weekend. Bentley Arnage replacement: Bentley anxiously awaits its first all-new car since, well, prior to the War to End All Wars. Teasers have been released, but the covers come off the replacement for the Arnage replacement at the Pebble Beach Concours, just before judging begins. We'll have mechanical details, photos and the new name of the new car at noon sharp on Sunday, August 16. 2011 Infiniti M sedan: Nissan's glam brand introduces its next big sedan in Pebble Beach. The brand plans to reveal the shape of the new M to reporters using a virtual technology that projects the new shape on a clay model. The Infiniti Essence concept that ravished Geneva Motor Show audiences will be on display, too, as a reference point for the new M. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport special edition: MotorAuthority drove the new Grand Sport edition of the Bugatti Veyron. In Pebble Beach, Bugatti's expected to show a special version of the 987-hp Grand Sport, which is being offered to the world at a cool $2 million. Aston Martin DBS Volante: It's been available for Aston's clientele for a while; the British sportscar company's offered up a few hours in the Volante for our pleasure. Fisker Karma: For the first time, non-Fisker employees will be able to see the Karma concept hitting the road under its own power. We'll be there with HD cameras in hand. Audi: We're driving the new Audi R8 V10 after Pebble Beach; at the Concours weekend, Audi will celebrate 40 years in America with displays of Auto Union cars and other memorabilia. Porsche: One of the featured marques from this year's Concours, Porsche will have its new Panamera on display along with a broad collection of classics at the Quail event. For more information, visit the Pebble Beach Concours site, and keep your browsers here at MotorAuthority and at TheCarConnection as we cover the new vehicles and the classics from the Pebble Beach weekend. ----------------------- Cruise the High Gear Media network! TheCarConnection for experts reviews of every new vehicle; MotorAuthority for luxury and performance-car news, reviews, and spy shots; GreenCarReports for news and reviews of the latest earth-friendly cars; CelebsandCars to see how the stars roll.

Luxury cars to go under the hammer in London

< Back to news list Luxury cars to go under the hammer in London Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:13

Motorists who enjoy buying at auction may want to attend an upcoming sale in Battersea Park.RM Auctions will be holding its annual Automobiles of London event there on October 28th.Among the vehicles going under the hammer will be a 1950 DB2 team car by Aston Martin and a 1914 Silver Ghost Boattail Skiff from Rolls-Royce.Organisers of the sale claimed the two models were particularly well suited to the event.Managing director at RM Auctions Max Girardo commented: "Both Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce are quintessentially English, making these cars perfect for our London sale." People can get a sneak preview of the two vehicles on October 27th, when the people behind the event will be holding a full-day preview.Other autos that will be on offer to the highest bidder include a 1932 Lancia Astura Limousine and a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato.It was previously announced that a number of custom cars from UK designer Andy Saunders would also be going under the hammer at the auction.To find out what Honest John has to say about buying at auction click here.

Road Test: 09 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe

While I probably wouldn't opt for this hue if choosing my personal ride, it grew on me during the beautiful California afternoon that I enjoyed it. Maybe it was the countless stares and unbridled rubbernecking that occurred as I cruised through Monterey, or possibly a long lost dream of becoming a rock star, reignited by thoughts of Robert Plant's '65 DB5. It wasn't yellow, of course, but I could see someone who enjoys the limelight making this colour choice.

I was more interested in driving the car than concerning myself with colour, and unfortunately my time was limited so my mind was purpose-oriented: find my way out of town quickly, up the Salinas Highway, past Laguna Seca (which was being used that day) for a right turn onto my favorite local byway, Laureles Grade road.

The uprated 420hp 4.7L V8 feels lively under acceleration, 346 lb-ft of torque more than adequate to push 1,630 kilos (3,593 lbs) of car from standstill to 100km/h in a scant 4.7 seconds before seeing 288 km/h (180 mph) on the speedometer, snarling in the upper revs and thoroughly exhilarating at full throttle. I kept the windows down to enjoy as much of the sweet exhaust note as possible and make the event as stimulatingly sensatory as something so civilized would allow. Unlike a Bentley, which is refinement epitomized despite being unfathomably fast, the Vantage feels more connected, more of an extension of my limbs.

Aston offers two man-machine interfaces, and I'm not talking about the beautifully sculpted steering wheel that fits perfectly to thumbs and palms. The first is a six-speed manual that notches ideally into each gear, a joystick that doesn't eschew traditional leather for billet aluminum, like the DBS I drove just before, but nevertheless naturally fits to the hand, and the second item a six-speed sequential manual Aston dubs Sportshift, with requisite paddle shifters attached to the steering column. My example came fitted with the latter, a combination that makes the most of the engine's free-spinning character, transforming intermediate driver into pro, at least when it comes to downshifting, and simultaneously delivering quicker shifts than any human could muster, no matter how talented.

The Vantage took to Laureles Grade like a greyhound on the scent of fresh prey, tackling the circuitous route with overzealous enthusiasm only matched by my own willingness to tempt fate and push the speed limit... just a bit. The Aston's meaty rubber, standard with 235/45ZR18 up front and 275/40RZ18 in the rear albeit mine came shod in optional 19-inch tires, bit into tarmac without commotion while delivering plenty of feedback through the seat of my pants and via the steering wheel. Truly, this car is all about connectivity, from the road through the controls to each appendage, it's a thoroughly visceral experience that must be experienced. Price for the car is $131,500 CDN for the manual, $135,500 for the auto.

While sensational to touch, the Aston's interior is also pure eye candy. My tester featured all-black full grain leather highlighted by contrasting yellow stitching... beyond brilliant and totally stimulating from a sporting perspective. The look, which includes an Alcantara headliner, is probably more Ferrari than Aston, at least by my experience, but then again no Ferrari offers an interior as wonderfully British in nature; the delectable combination of sport and elegance, with electroluminescent gauges seemingly designed by Richard Mille, the Tourbillon RM018 Hommage à Boucheron comes to mind. The details are exquisite, from the crystal keyfob that slots into the upper console between the unorthodox gear selector buttons to a crystal ashtray set into the lower console, if the smoking package is ordered. Aston has even includes a pop-out pen, integrated into the lower tip of the centre stack! What a brilliant idea.

The V8 Vantage is also quite practical as far as sports cars go, with a reasonably accommodating 300-litre (10.6-cu ft) trunk in back, although city fuel economy is hardly eco-friendly at 17.4L/100km. It does much better on the highway, with a 10.8L/100km rating, and as expected, premium fuel is necessary.

Safety features include dual front and side-curtain airbags, along with standard traction and stability control, the latter not only benefiting safety but also very helpful when pushing the limit in less than ideal conditions. Fortunately for me the sun beamed down during my day with Aston's volume seller, allowing for a full agility test and my resulting praise.

Yes, the V8 Vantage is a superb car that, while hardly the quickest, fastest or best handling for the money, is nevertheless in a league of its own. It delivers more than adequate speed and excellent overall control while doling out style, comfort and class in doses that can't be measured in mere statistics. One drive is all you'll need to appreciate what I'm talking about, and then you'll be hooked.

Quebecers turn noses up at middle of the road

Richard Martin (left) and his partner Ian Obidniak established Montreal Auto Prix that promises the cheapest prices in Canada for vehicles.Photograph by: MARIE-FRANCE COALLIER, Gazette

Quebecers are distinct in their car-buying habits, choosing economy and luxury over middle-of-the-road.

"The two extremes are functioning well here," says Renée Cardinal, senior adviser for communications and marketing at the 226-member Montreal Automobile Dealers Corp.

While Quebec remains the Canadian leader in fuel-efficient "but fully loaded" subcompacts, she said, it's also helping drive sales of some premium brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

Cardinal said the market share being lost by the Big 3 North American manufacturers - General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC - is being picked up by many other carmakers.

"There's not just one big winner," she said, pointing to Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. in particular at the lower end of the scale and Germany's Mercedes-Benz and BMW at the high end as examples.

Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. continued its record-breaking national sales trend of double-digit year-over-year rates so far in 2009 with its best-ever July - up more than 37 per cent.

"Sales figures like these are not a passing fad," Hyundai Canada president John Vernile wrote in a recent statement.

"July marked seven straight months of sales increases for this company, and if you look at 2008, we were up almost every month then, too," Vernile added."This success isn't a fluke.

"It is the result of an automotive company providing what people want at the price they can afford, topped off with award-winning quality and gorgeous design."

Those are inviting numbers for Groupe Ray Monahan, which has invested $11 million to build the St. Laurent Hyundai dealership scheduled to officially open in early October.

Its sales department started up in temporary trailer offices Aug. 3, and president Roger Desautels III said yesterday "the phones are ringing more and more every day."

Desautels, vice-president and general manager of the group that also operates Boulevard Dodge Chrysler Jeep in St. Laurent and Montmorency Ford in Brossard, expects to sell 1,000 Hyundais a year in the new fully enclosed dealership that will hold more than 550 vehicles.

Kia Canada Inc. in July recorded its third consecutive month surpassing the 5,000 mark in sales across Canada, up 29.6 per cent over the year-earlier period. Kia is experiencing the greatest results in its 10-year history in Canada.

Guy Hazan considers it the best career move he ever made when he opened a Kia franchise in Pierrefonds a year ago. Before that, he had been a Mercedes-Benz dealer, then a GM dealer.

"It's amazing, I'm doing tremendously well," said the president and general manager of Kia West Island. "It's much, much, much more than I expected."

The lot began operating in July 2008, but "it has been rock 'n' roll" since the official opening in mid-March with what Hazan called "killer (sales) numbers."

Monthly sales projections of 30 or 40 vehicles a month actually turned out to be 50 or 60.

At Automobiles Silver Star Montréal Inc., a Mercedes dealership, general sales manager Rob Girouard said he has "never seen anything like this. It's the best year ever since I'm here."

With the new entry-level GLK compact SUV, revamped C-Class compact executive car and B-Class compact MPV, he said "people are opening their eyes to our brand and realizing they can afford a Mercedes."

There are more first-time customers coming to the showroom, "people we've never seen before with lower-end trade-ins, and the leasing market in Quebec is on fire," Girouard added.

Joel Segal, president of Decarie Motors Inc., said he sees the high-end market improving and traffic in the showroom picking up.

"Jaguar's new products have really captured the attention of the marketplace, and Range Rover (the luxury SUV produced by Land Rover in Britain) sales keep trucking along and are up a little over last year," Segal noted.

While Aston Martin and Bentley sales are down slightly at Decarie Motors, Segal said there's a marginal increase overall among the four brands carried there.

Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc., said a few luxury companies like Audi and Volvo "are going gangbusters," while others like Saab (2009 sales down 42.9 per cent from 2008) and Land Rover (year-to-year sales down 26.7 per cent) "are in the toilet."

mking@thegazette.canwest.com

Sales Numbers

July 2009/2008 Increase / Year To date / Year to Date Market Share

Audi: 40.3% / 20% / 0.5 %

Volvo: 39.4 % / 2.4% / 2.2 %

Porshe: 37% / -5.2 % / 0.1 %

Lexus: 13.9% / -3.7 % / 0.9%

BMW: 12. 1% / -1.3% / 1.4%

Mercedes-Benz: 9.5% / 16.5% / 1.2 %

Hyundai: 37.8 % / 23.9% / 4.9%

Kia: 29.6% / 20.4% / 2.2%

Mitsubishi: 18.7% / 3.3% / 1.1 %

Source: DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc.

British-built Lotus wins top car award

British-built Lotus wins top car award 12/08/2009  

Niche sportscar manufacturer Lotus has scooped a 'best driver's car' accolade for its Evora model.

The award, from Autocar magazine, followed assessment on road and track around the South Downs and the Goodwood race circuit. Lotus beat off competition from Aston Martin, Nissan, Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini and Jaguar. The mid-engined 2+2 Lotus Evora combines a super stiff extruded and bonded aluminium chassis with vehicle dynamics knowledge employed to tune its race-car derived double wishbone suspension. Roger Becker, vehicle engineering director for Lotus, said: "The dynamic ability and driving experience of the Evora were the foundation of the engineering process and we are delighted that Autocar has recognised this by giving the Evora this accolade. The Evora offers the great Lotus driving experience in a very comfortable, practical, refined and efficient package, and with only 205 g/km of CO2 it shows that the Evora is a supercar for the 21st century." Luke Bennett, director of Lotus Cars, added: "We are really pleased to win this title as it not only demonstrates the engineering expertise and brilliant manufacturing at Lotus, but also asserts our position in this very exclusive and competitive sector. There is huge global demand for the Evora and to cope with this high demand we are taking on over 150 manufacturing staff, which is roughly a 30% increase."   AuthorLaura Cork   Email this article   Bookmark this article using:   Del.icio.us digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon   Linked Companies    Group Lotus plc     Similar News Articles     Jaguar Land Rover secures funding    Manufacturers more confident about short-term prospects, says survey    Free access to government contract opportunities    Calls to extend scrappage scheme after car sales rise in July    GKN is ‘well positioned’ for recovery    Similar Features Directory Articles     What can go wrong when you give IT the large    Data hub gets global bearings group rolling    Visualisation speeds paths to production    CAD and PDM transform Mitsubishi MotorSports     Cosworth makes team working world class   Contact Us  |  About Us  |  Careers @ Works Management  |  Site Map  |  Terms & Conditions  |  © Findlay Media Ltd 2009  |  Login  | 

Supercar Challenge on Playstation 3 Multiplayer Beta Impressions.

Supercar Challenge on Playstation 3 Multiplayer Beta Impressions.

Staggeringly for a Playstation 3 exclusive, Supercar Challenge is not hyped beyond belief. We’ve all experienced the hype for Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet and inFamous come and go. We’re currently in the process of screaming in anticipation for Gran Turismo 5 and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. But Supercar Challenge we can sum up in one single phrase we uttered a couple of weeks back when questioned about the game: “What’s that?”.

Saving our blushes we did have some recognition of the game when the term Ferrari Challenge was mentioned. Of course, the game is from Eutechnyx, a company renowned for excellent driving physics.

Supercar Challenge offers over 40 cars and 20 something tracks. We were able to go hands on with the Aston Martin DB9 among a couple of others on the famous Nurburgring track.

Jumping into the online beta, Supercar Challenge clearly has some very carefully considered netcode. Connection is smooth (even at the beta stage) and jumping into a game is as easy as selecting a particular lobby. PSN ID’s are complemented by corresponding flags adding a touch of the ol’ patriotism to proceedings (how we wished those German folks weren’t so darn good).

Supercar Challenge offers a range of options to the host; he can restrict the use of “noob-friendly” aids such as the ABS, aswell as set the weather functionality, track, car types, laps, etc. The dynamic weather system plays a big part to the game, instantly noticable from the moment you jump behind the wheel of your car and find your vision almost totally impaired. We only turned the rain on because we like the sound of it, we didn’t realise it was going to be so bleeding difficult to see.

To be honest though, we’re not criticising. Rain does impair vision, that’s part of the impact and this is a pretty hardcore simulation. Although we’re told you can totally play the game all arcadey in single player. It’s up to how you prefer playing the game, which is a neat idea.

Despite the excellent looking rain though, we found Supercar Challenge to look a little flat. The interior of the car lacked depth, looking like a simple 2D image (a nice hi-res one mind) and the outside world lacked spectacle. Then again we couldn’t see much of that. Did we mention it was raining?

Still, what the game lacks in graphical polish it makes up for in weighty cars. The vehicles feel heavy when cornering, giving way just a little to the puddles on the ground and providing a great sense of speed. Even with the assists on we felt like it would take some time to adjust to feel of the vehicles, but we got a tremendous sense of satisfaction taking our last corner perfectly.

With online mode already looking so polished in the beta, the only real problems we see for Supercar Challenge is it getting noticed. As a Playstation 3 exclusive it, admittedly, already faces trouble in terms of generating some real sale numbers. But the fact that even we had forgotten the game existed, just weeks away from an August 28th release suggests the marketing team are going to have to pull their finger out fast if this is to get any sales at all.

1000KM Nürburgring: 3 works Astons…and more!

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© Planetlemans - Marcel ten Caat

With the announcement at the Autódromo Internacional Algarve of Team Oreca Matmut AIM’s plans to run at Petit Le Mans and the decision to skip the 1000 kilometers of the Nürburgring round four of the Le Mans Series lost another two top cars. But there is good news this week from Aston Martin Racing.

Just four points behind Pescarolo Sport in the Team Classification and with a three points lead in the Manufacturer Classification Aston Martin Racing has confirmed it will field three cars at the Nürburgring. With just one Pescarolo in Germany and no Oreca’s Aston Martin Racing’s main target should be to get as many points for the championships and to keep Pescarolo away from scoring many points. For the fans it will be good to see the third Aston on the track in the Le Mans Series.

Like at the Le Mans 24 Hours the third car will be entered under the AMR Eastern Europe banner, with Miguel Ramos moving into the #008 from the #009. He will be joined by Stuart Hall. Darren Turner and Harold Primat will be racing in the #009 car, with Jan Charouz, Tomas Enge and Stefan Mücke staying put in the #007.

Other interesting changes for the Nürburgring include the return of Michael Vergers in a Radical SR9. The Dutchman will join Pierre Bruneau and Francesco Sini in the #26 Bruichladdich-Brunea entry. Wolfgang Kaufmann and Giovanni Lavaggi are expected to race the Lavaggi LS1 again, while the Pegasus Racing and second FBR entries are back on the list.

After opting to miss out the Algarve round in order to repair their Lola and prepare the car in an optimal way for the rest of the season the KSM team has meanwhile been removed again from the entrylist.

The latest entrylist / spotters guide can be found here!

Victorious Vantage competing in climb

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage race car which swept to a stunning debut class victory in the 37th Nurburgring 24-hour race in May will compete in the Shelsley Walsh National Hill Climb Festival in Worcestershire this weekend.

The near production standard V12 Vantage will make its UK competition debut at the historic hill climb course in Worcestershire.

In continuous use since 1905, Shelsley Walsh was the first purpose-built moto sport venue in history and has continued to be at the heart of British motor sport ever since.

Shelsley was founded and is still run today by The Midland Automobile Club and the annual hill climb attracts more than of 200 competitors and 30,000 spectators.

The hill climb course is 1,000 yards long and no more than 12 ft wide at its narrowest points. A 328 ft rise over the length of the course makes Shelsley a hill on which power is especially important.

The V12 Vantage will be driven by UK motoring journalists Richard Meaden and Matt Prior from Autocar magazine.

Aston Martin’s head of motorsport, David King said: “We are not expecting to beat the hill climb specialists.

“However, it will be a privilege to give the car its UK competition debut at such a special and historic venue which is on the doorstep of our global headquarters.”

Practice day for the Shelsley Walsh National Hill Climb is on Saturday with the first runs of the competition taking place on Sunday from 9.30am.

This article posted on August 11, 2009 at 1:00 pm and tagged; aston martin, hill climb, nurburgring, shelsley walsh, v12 vantage

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On completing and submitting this competition, you will automatically be entered into a draw for one of these prizes. No correspondence will be entered into and the winners will be notified by post or email within 28 days of the closing date. The competition is not open to employees of Dennis Publishing or participating companies. No cash alternative will be offered. The prize (s) described are available at the date of publication. Events may occur that render the promotion or the rewarding of the prize impossible due to reasons beyond evo's control, which may at its discretion vary or amend the promotion and the reader agrees that no liability shall be attached to evo as a result thereof. Proof of emailing will not be accepted as proof of delivery and no responsibility can be accepted for entries lost, delayed, mislaid or for any technical failure or for any event which may cause the competition to be disrupted or corrupted. Where necessary, in order to determine an outright winner or winners to a competition, the Editor reserves the right to request entrants to take part in an eliminating contest (or 'tie breaker'). Where for any reason there are more winners than prizes on offer, the Editor reserves the right to conduct a simple draw to determine the winner or winners of the prizes. Unless otherwise stated, entry to all competitions is restricted to entrants of 18 years of age or over. Names of winners will be available on receipt of a request enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope to: Competitions Manager, Dennis Publishing, 30 Cleveland St, London W1T 4JD. If the winner of a competition is unable to take up a prize for any reason, the Editor reserves the right to award it to an alternative winner, in which case the first winner chosen will not be eligible for any share of the prize whatsoever. The Editor's decision is final and it is a condition of entry to any competition that the entrant agrees to be bound by these rules whether they be published or not, and that the decisions of the Editor and judges on any matter whatsoever arising out of or connected with the competition are final. No purchase of the magazine is necessary.

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Aston Martin One-77

Winner: Aston Martin One-77

Our expert road test team knows a thing or two about putting the latest new cars through their paces – but none of them would claim to be a style expert. Picking the best-designed model is notoriously difficult, which is why we asked Auto Express’s readers to choose their favourite of the last 12 months. You responded in your thousands, casting your votes on the www.autoexpress.co.uk website – and one car dominated the entire poll, picking up more than a third of all the votes: the Aston Martin One-77. It saw off some tough competition in the process, as our shortlist included everything from the Alfa Romeo MiTo to the Ferrari California. The flagship model in the British brand’s prestigious line-up is totally unique, and is equipped with a powerful 7.3-litre V12 engine producing up to 700bhp. That will mean incredible straight-line performance – the new car should be capable of a top speed of around 200mph. Design director Marek Reichman oversaw the shaping of the hand-crafted aluminium bodywork to ensure the One-77 delivers on its promise of being the ultimate expression of Aston Martin styling principles. Only 77 cars will be produced, with each being individually numbered, so the model will take exclusivity to a whole new level. And that’s exactly what buyers of this £1.2million supercar will want. Our expert road test team knows a thing or two about putting the latest new cars through their paces – but none of them would claim to be a style expert. Picking the best-designed model is notoriously difficult, which is why we asked Auto Express’s readers to choose their favourite of the last 12 months. You responded in your thousands, casting your votes on the www.autoexpress.co.uk website – and one car dominated the entire poll, picking up more than a third of all the votes: the Aston Martin One-77. It saw off some tough competition in the process, as our shortlist included everything from the Alfa Romeo MiTo to the Ferrari California. The flagship model in the British brand’s prestigious line-up is totally unique, and is equipped with a powerful 7.3-litre V12 engine producing up to 700bhp. That will mean incredible straight-line performance – the new car should be capable of a top speed of around 200mph. Design director Marek Reichman oversaw the shaping of the hand-crafted aluminium bodywork to ensure the One-77 delivers on its promise of being the ultimate expression of Aston Martin styling principles. Only 77 cars will be produced, with each being individually numbered, so the model will take exclusivity to a whole new level. And that’s exactly what buyers of this £1.2million supercar will want.

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10th Dubai International Motor Show receives strong industry support

10 August 2009 Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, and Ford's Commitment in Region's Largest Motor Show Highlights Confidence in Automotive Industry

Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  The Dubai International Motor Show is revving up to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year with an industry-leading show that reinforces its position as the top automotive event in the Middle East.  The motor show which is held every two years will take place from the 16 - 20 December at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Dubai.

Despite challenging economic conditions, the Dubai International Motor Show, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) continues to attract the unwavering support from global leaders within the industry. Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Daihatsu, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, KTM, Peugeot, Renault, Shelby Super Cars, Mitsubishi, and Zenvo, with first time appearances from AC Cars and Luxgen, are already preparing for a big presentation at this year's event.

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: "There is a real drive within the motor industry, and recent financial results suggest that most companies are showing gradual but steady signs of recovery. We have received definite commitments from many of the world's leading manufacturers for this year's Dubai International Motor Show. Companies are seeking to leverage their participation at this most influential event to stimulate sales turnover, and end the year on a strong note."

Many of the top automotive manufacturers from Europe, North America and Asia have confirmed their participation, with a number of concept cars, new models and hybrid cars scheduled to make their international debut during the five day event. 

"Ford's commitment to the Middle East has never been stronger, and the Dubai International Motor Show provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our latest models and industry breakthroughs," said Waldo Galan, Ford Middle East's Managing Director. "We are proud to have been continuously part of the show since its launch in 1991 and look forward to marking its 10th anniversary as we debut some of our most innovative products and technologies in the region."

With the growth of automotive financing in the Middle East, DWTC is pleased to announce the new strategic partnership with Al Hilal Bank as platinum sponsor for this year's Dubai International Motor Show will bring attractive sales opportunities for both visitors and exhibitors. Al Hilal Bank will be offering an exclusive one-hour approval service on all car financing made at the show.

For more information, visit www.dubaimotorshow.com.

-Ends-

About Dubai International Motor ShowWebsite: www.dubaimotorshow.com The 10th Dubai International Motor Show 2009 is most popular international automotive event in the Middle East.  The exhibition which is held once every two years runs includes two dedicated areas: 'Motor Parts & Accessories' and 'MOTORplus' which collectively offer a complete representation of the motor industry serving the Middle East markets and will be a dedicated section for motor parts, components, accessories and high end automotive products.  The combination of events will be held from 16th - 20th December 2009 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Website: www.dwtc.com As the organiser of The Dubai International Motor Show (www.dubaimotorshow.com), Dubai World Trade Centre offers more than 30 years experience of delivering world-class events in the Middle East, providing local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises 18 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region.

Our commitment to ongoing innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors. DWTC works with the leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all exhibitions deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector. 

© Press Release 2009