NSX Concept

Badged as an Acura in the US, the new NSX, which is expected to go on sale in the next three years, will be developed by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured in Ohio but is developed for true sports driving enthusiasts throughout the world.

The dynamically-styled NSX Concept gives an indication of the next great performance vehicle from Honda. Making use of lightweight materials and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the NSX Concept employs several new technologies, including an innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All Wheel Drive™) hybrid system.

 Speaking at the Detroit Motor Show, Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd, who led the development of Honda’s first NSX supercar, explained the values of the new NSX, “Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency. In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities.”

While most supercars opt for brute force delivered from a large engine, the NSX Concept champions the true racing philosophy of an extremely favourable power-to-weight ratio. 

Utilising a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system, the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems. In addition to the handling benefits of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® system, a powerful next-generation VTEC® V-6 engine with direct-injection, works in concert with a dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor, to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of, “the synergy between man and machine,” added Ito.  “The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.”

Without doubt, this will be a very special car.

New Dealership at Aston Martin Works Service

Aston Martin Works Service, an integral and long established division of the British marque, announces the beginning of its first stage in an exciting plan to develop the world renowned business and its historic Newport Pagnell premises.

An initial six month stage of what will be a two year development plan at Aston Martin Works Service is underway with the modernisation of the contemporary car servicing facility at Newport Pagnell and the building of a brand new Aston Martin dealership.

Kingsley Riding-Felce, Director of Aston Martin Works Service said, “After many years we have established ourselves as a leader in Aston Martin service, repair and restoration here at Newport Pagnell. The ability now to invest in our buildings and bring them to the same high standard of our knowledge and skill is very exciting indeed.  This integrated plan also sees some key additions to both the team and indeed its capabilities to cater for the customer demands of the present and future.

“In addition to this, an Aston Martin dealership will be constructed at Works Service completing our fields of expertise to create a true Aston Martin ‘Centre of Excellence’.”

Dealership with old and new...

Formalised just 11 years after the company’s founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford first thought of their own cars, the roots of Aston Martin Works Service go back to those of the ‘Service Department’ of 1924. Comprising a highly skilled and factory-trained team, Works Service is proud to have over 530 years of Aston Martin experience within its ranks and a worldwide reputation for the quality of its service, repair and restoration of up to 2,500 Aston Martins and Lagondas from over 30 countries each year.

A central part of this strategic plan will be incorporating the recently formed Works Tailored department which, with close support from designers and engineers at Aston Martin Headquarters at Gaydon, formalises and expands upon decades of creating the ultimate level of personalisation for Aston Martin customers.  From creating unique colours, materials and finishes through to integrating the latest additional technology, Works Tailored provides customers and their Aston Martins of any age with a route to take an idea through to a crafted and thoroughly engineered reality.

A further part of the company’s plan for the Newport Pagnell site is the major addition to Works Service of a fully operational Aston Martin Dealership allowing Works Service to sell new, used and heritage Aston Martins. Aston Martin Newport Pagnell will further strengthen the company’s well established network of 20 sites in the UK.

Aston Martin’s connection with the town of Newport Pagnell dates back to the 1950s.  As the base of well known coachbuilders, Salmon & Sons, the Tickford Street site was purchased by Aston Martin owner, David Brown, as the perfect place from which to base both Aston Martin and Lagonda in an area that already boasted a highly skilled workforce. Home to Aston Martin production for over 50 years up until 2007, Newport Pagnell maintains very close ties with the company by remaining the home of Works Service. This latest development plan underlines the company’s commitment to this business and to the local area for many years to come.

Fendi Maserati

Fendi Maserati monogramed seats

Fendi Maserati

We are not really big fans of forced collaborations by fashion brands with automotive brands. Yes, we understand that it opens up new opportunities within each others client base, but would a driving enthusiast prefer a Versace Lamborghini to a nice standard car? I don’t think so. Therefore, these ’specials’ must be targeted at those fashion luvvies that dress up small pooches in matching accessories. For example, please step forward the ‘Gucci Fiat 500′. An automotive handbag if ever there was one.

Therefore, what are we to make of the Maserati collaboration with fashion house Fendi?

Maserati have created a special edition GranCabrio with Fendi, each of which will be individually numbered. The Maserati GranCabrio Fendi (quite a mouthful in itself) comes painted in Grigio Fiamma Fendi a unique dark grey with an iridescent golden finish with Trident wheels with Fendi yellow brake callipers. The interior features ‘Pergamena’ – a Fendi wood trim and the seats have the Fendi F monogram stitched into them with the Maserati trident embroidered into the headrests in Fendi yellow.

We appreciate that Fendi also create rather lovely interiors, so should we see this as more of a special edition with an interior designers embellishments? Probably. Does that make it any more credible. I tiny bit, maybe. Personally, I like the colour of the car and the brake callipers in yellow (I doubt the disks are ceramic?!) – but please, sod off with your Fendi ‘F’ monogram stitching…

Available now at all good designer high streets, I’m sure.

Sesto Elemento

Sesto Elemento

A technological demonstrator, presented a year ago at the Paris Motor Show, the Sesto Elemento represents the future of super sports cars in line with the Lamborghini Manifesto: according to this, development focuses on handling and acceleration, with lightweight design an increasing priority – now and even more so in years to come.

Not since the revolutionary carbon fibre prototype, the Lamborghini Countach Evoluzione in 1986, has a super sports car brand produced a car weighing less than 1000 kg.

With the Sesto Elemento, Lamborghini’s Research & Development engineers have fine-tuned a cutting-edge package. Beginning with its pure, radical design, Sesto Elemento is the perfect blend between an extremely light weight 999 kg body; a drive train taken directly from motorsport; a power output of 570 hp; a highly responsive V10 engine and superior handling stability guaranteed by Lamborghini’s four wheel drive system. An exceptional power-to-weight ratio of just 1.75 kg per hp guarantees unrivalled performance levels; the Sesto Elemento goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. These values are possible due to the use of a carbon fiber monocoque made of Forged Composite and extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the car, illustrating Lamborghini’s international leadership in composite materials technologies.

Stephan Winkelmann stated: “The excellent feedback and the numerous requests we’ve had from our customers have really convinced us to embark on the challenge of producing a vehicle with unique characteristics. We are proud that what a year ago was just a ‘technology demonstrator’ of future super sports cars, even though in working order, will become a small series reality.

Only 20 units of the new Sesto Elemento super sports car will be produced, and will be destined only for track use. We’re planning to deliver the first cars at the beginning of 2013.” As for the price, if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it…

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale

Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., has presented the most extreme Gallardo ever: the Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale. This new and most extreme top model in the Gallardo lineup is based on the successful race car from the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo and the car will be produced in a limited run of 150 numbered units.

Right from first glance, these similarities are even more evident in the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale. In fact, it is equipped with the same rear spoiler that offers greater aerodynamic load – reaching in the best aerodynamic condition 3 times the load of the Gallardo LP 560-4 – for increased dynamic stability during tight, high-speed driving. As in the race cars, the rear spoiler can be varied manually in order to let the driver optimize the car’s performance according to the track or road characteristics.

Another element taken directly from the racing version is the removable engine hood with quick-release system. Both the spoiler and the hood are of course made of carbon composite material, as are a host of other components on the SuperTrofeo Stradale.

The Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale boasts a maximum dry weight of 1340 kilograms, which is 70Kg lighter than the Gallardo LP 560-4. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 3.4 seconds and reaches 200 km/h just 10.4 seconds later. Top Speed is 320 Km/h.

The optional equipment designed with racing in mind includes not only the carbon-fibre ceramic brake discs, but also a tubular interior roll cage, 4-point safety belts and fire extinguisher. On the other hand, those who want comfort can equip their Super Trofeo Stradale with a satellite navigation, with Bluetooth connection for mobile phones, an anti-theft system, and a lifting system that raises the front axle.

This must be the last in the line of ‘special’ Gallardo’s, but they have certainly saved the best until now. Is it better than a Ferrari 458? No, but it’s a different beast. A flambouyant Italian that likes to make an entrance. A proper Lamborghini!

Jaguar C-X16

Stunning E-Type style boot-lid

Jaguar C-X16

Jaguar C-X16

Jaguar has released details of the C-X16 concept ahead of its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Looking firmly to the future, the C-X16 marks a new chapter for Jaguar.  The two-seater concept has inspired new advances in design, in engineering and in vehicle technology to create the most compact and responsive Jaguar in a generation.  A hybrid, the C-X16 combines searing performance with beautifully realised styling.

Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars: “The C-X16 embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future.”

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars: “Jaguars have always been dramatically different. With the C-X16 we have moved the current award-winning design language on to the next generation, creating a car that is the very essence of future Jaguar performance.”

Under the muscular clamshell bonnet is a next-generation supercharged V6 petrol engine producing 380 PS (280kW) and 332 lb ft (450 Nm) of torque. Already boasting a high specific power output of 126 PS-per-litre, the performance of the C-X16 is further supplemented by a Formula 1-inspired hybrid boost system with a steering-wheel mounted button for on-demand acceleration.

Integrated into the eight-speed gearbox is a motor generator which draws power from a 1.6kWh battery pack mounted behind the seats for ideal 50:50 weight distribution. Charged through a brake energy regeneration system, the batteries allow the motor to provide an additional 95 PS (70 kW) and173 lb ft (235 Nm).

Mounted in an aluminium chassis structure, the result is 0-62 mph acceleration in 4.4 seconds, a top speed of 186 mph and acceleration from 50-75 mph of 2.1 seconds. The  C-X16 is also able to travel at speeds of up to 50 mph under electric power alone and has CO₂ emissions of 165 g/km.

The C-X16 measures 4,445 mm in length, 2,048 mm in width and 1,297 mm in height and has a wheelbase measuring 2,622 mm.  In terms of overall length, the C-X16 is the smallest Jaguar created since 1954 and the XK120.

We love it – let’s hope it drives as well as it looks. A true E-Type for todays market. Porsche could well be checking their blind-spot as this will surely be looking to try and tempt some of Porsches loyal customers.

V12 Vantage GT3

Aston Martin haven’t had much luck with their P1 Sportscar program, which is a great shame, but now they seem to have something that looks like it should – beautiful, aggressive and fast. Aston Martin confirms today the specification of the 2012 Vantage GT3 race car. As the natural successor to the enormously successful DBRS9, the new Vantage GT3 will offer customers the latest in race-car technology to ensure the Vantage GT3 has the credentials to compete with the most recent new product offerings from other manufacturers.

The Vantage GT3 features a modified version of Aston Martin’s production 6.0 litre V12 engine found in the marque’s highly acclaimed sports cars. The dry-sumped engine is expected to produce 600 bhp with 700 Nm of torque and its position has been optimised further to improve weight balance. A carbon fibre propshaft mates the engine to a Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission with semi-automatic paddle shift gear change.

V12 Vantage GT3

The Vantage GT3 benefits from Aston Martin’s V/H architecture philosophy, the modular chassis uses aerospace bonding techniques to create a light and immensely stiff aluminium and composite structure which not only aids handling on Aston Martin’s road cars but is also an ideal base for competitive race cars.

Most dramatic of all, are the new aerodynamics, contributing to a muscular and purposeful stance while maintaining the overall beauty of the V12 Vantage. The shorter wheel base and lower engine position over its predecessor will contribute to enhanced handling and performance. The new car will also provide enhanced driveability with the latest race-developed ABS and Traction Control systems which are fitted to the V12 Vantage GT3 as standard.

The Vantage GT3 will be eligible for numerous race series around the world including the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Nürburgring VLN, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT, Belcar and Open GT among others.

V12 Vantage GT3

Aston Martin remains the only manufacturer to offer a race car for every GT class firmly cementing it as a global forerunner in race car production. The new Vantage GT3 is being developed to replicate and indeed surpass the superb track record of the DBRS9.

Aston Martin has sold 24 DBRS9s and customer teams have accumulated many race podiums and victories over the past six years including 2009 Winner Teams Championship, and Winner Manufacturers Championship for Hexis Racing and as recently as a 2011 GT Open race win at Spa for Villois Racing.

Testing of the new car will commence in October, where the Vantage GT3 will undergo a comprehensive sign-off durability test including a 10,000 km test programme. Deliveries of the first cars will commence in early 2012. Prices start from £298,000.

Porsche 991

Porsche 991

Porsche 991 Interior

Earlier this week, there were a series of official Porsche images leaked through the Teamspeed website. We are, and so are several of our members, registered with Teamspeed and it’s a fabulous resource of news and general banter. However, a part of me is a little sad that the images were made public before the proper launch. Were the images leaked by Porsche? Who knows.

Whatever you believe, the new 991 does look pretty fabulous. The interior is clearly brought in to line with the rest of the latest range (Cayenne and Panamera), which is a massive move on from the 997. Do we like it? Absolutely. Will they create something a bit different for the GT cars? Possibly.

On the outside, the car looks tighter, fitter, more athletic. The wheels look good and the rear lights are certainly influenced by the 918 Concept, which is no bad thing. The front also looks more considered, with more integrated driving lights. In terms of drive, there could be a 7-gear manual option available – using the PDK casing. The 3.4 engine in the standard car is more efficient, higher revving and has more horsepower. What’s not to like? My personal choice would be the Carrera S though – a 3.8 engine with more power than the outgoing model. It’s also more efficient and is believed to lap the Nordschleife in a time very similar to the current 997.2 GT3!

Now that’s impressive…

Bill Amberg luggage set for Cygnet

Aston Martin’s new high spec city car ‘the Cygnet’ was released earlier this year and the Bill Amberg team  have played their part in adding a touch of class for new owners by creating a set of luxury accessories.

“If James Bond was after a city car I’m sure he would be delighted to swap his DBS for an Aston Martin Cygnet and there would be a smile on his face when he realised he could select a Bill Amberg 5 piece luggage set for his trips away.” said Bill Amberg.

The Cygnet was premiered earlier this year and offers the ideal vehicle for small car buyers who want to be driving a nimble head turning car around town – with ample budget!  Bill’s 5 piece luggage set includes a glove box bag, removable door pocket bag, holdall, garment bag and collapsible tote bag. For me the Cygnet is still a cynical marketing exercise too far, but I’d love the Bill Amberg luggage!

New Limited Edition Audi R8 V8 Le Mans

Futuristic Audi R18 at Le Mans

A stunning new titanium-effect paintwork option and enhanced standard equipment will mark out the new R8 V8 Limited Edition, which becomes available to order next month priced from £93,935 OTR. Created in honour of the tenth victory for Audi in this month’s gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans marathon race, which was won first in 2000 by the R8 sports prototype, the new feature-rich special edition road car is based on the hugely successful R8 V8 Coupe. It will be reserved solely for UK R8 customers, and with just 100 examples currently scheduled for production it will offer even greater exclusivity.

Titanium finish 19-inch ‘5-arm double-spoke Y design’ alloy wheels inspired by the R8 GT Coupe, and embellished by red brake callipers, will be the key differentiating feature of the exterior of the R8 Limited Edition in its standard form. All normally optional metallic and pearl effect paint options will also be included in the Limited Edition price, but for maximum visual drama customers will be able to specify a striking Titanium Metallic paint finish, which will be exclusive to this model, at extra cost.

Over and above the standard R8 V8 Coupe specification, the Limited Edition model includes satellite navigation, the Audi Music Interface (AMI), an interior light package and a  premium Bang and Olufsen sound system, as well as mobile phone preparation via a Bluetooth interface with integrated seat-belt microphones.