Aston Martin seems to be pretty busy readying thier fleet of new vehicles, which is probably part of the after effect of its agreement with Mercedes-Benz AMG. The German automotive giant has agreed to supply engines to the Gaydon based automaker and has also acquired a 5% stake in the company.
The strategy is especially evident with its recruitment of ex-Maserati man, Joerg Ross as Chief Engineer of powertrains. Ross, is a seasoned veteran in the powertrain business having served as the Head of Advanced Powertrain division at Maserati.
Prior to this, he held senior management positions at IAV, Scuderia Ferrari F1 and Ford. In total, he has spent more than 25 years in the automotive industry and has no doubt seen his share of technological advancements.
He will be responsible for the development of Aston Martin’s engines, transmissions and electrification work. Ross will be based at the company’s HQ at Gaydon, Warwickshire and will be reporting to Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Max Szwaj.
“We are delighted to welcome Joerg to the Aston Martin team. His considerable experience and knowledge will prove invaluable for the Engineering team as we prepare the business for the next generation of Aston Martin products,” said Max Szwaj.
Born in Remscheid, Germany, Joerg holds a degree and a PHD in Mechanical Engineering from the RWTH Aachen University, Germany. He speaks several languages including German, English and Italian.
Speaking of his appointment, Ross said, “I’m delighted to be joining Aston Martin at what is an exciting time for the brand. The company is at a significant point in its history, with the recent announcement of its first all-electric car the RapidE. I’m excited to play a part in developing Aston Martin’s future vehicle strategy.”
It seems like the UK based supercar maker has big plans for the not so distant future. Though many consider an AMG engine in an Aston Martin as sacrilege, their proven reliability and power delivery should complement the elegantly styled sporty bodywork of Astons of the future.
The viola-metallic Lamborghini Diablo, made famous after being featured in Jamiroquai’s 1990s hit single, Cosmic Girl, has been put up for sale. It has been listed on Auto Trader, which is the UK’s largest marketplace for new and used cars.
It’s one of two identical car that were featured in the 1996 music video. The first car met its unfortunate end after a crash on the video set. This second car, took its place but it too encountered an unlucky incident. During filming, a precision camera fell on it from a considerable height, decimating the windshield.
Jamiroquai’s lead man, Jay Kay, decided to keep driving the car for the remainder of the filming without a front windshield. And as such, unlike many celebrity cars, this particular Lambo has had quite a past and probably a hex too.
Now, its up for sale with a price tag of £549,995 (RM 3,113,357) and happens to be one of only 16 right-hand-drive models in exsistance. Amari Supercars, a car dealership in the UK, claims to have sold it to the band in 1996. And since then, the Lambo has been past on two further owners before being returned to the dealership after spending sometime in Germany.
Speaking of the car, Auto Trader Car’s Editor, Andy Pringle, said, “One of three classic supercars used in the Cosmic Girl video – it’s the only one that the ‘Space Cowboy’ actually owned – so although it might price-out most music fans at over half a million pounds – there could be a love affair reunited on the cards if Jay Kay’s browsing Auto Trader this week.”
Celebrity involvement aside, the Diablo was one of the most iconic cars of the 1990s. It was the quintessential hypercar of an era when Traction Control and Stability Assist systems were almost nonexistent. It was a true driver’s car and one that required a significant amount of physical strength to keep it in check.
Built at Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, the Diablo, which is Spanish for devil, was a mid-engine hypercar built between 1990 and 2001. It had either a 5.7 or 6.0-litre V12 engine that was mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
It replaced the wedge-shaped Countach and was a brute with 485bhp available from its spectacular V12 engine. It was capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds, which was incredibly fast for the time and capable of achieving a top speed of 325km/h.
Unlike the Countach, the Diablo came with better creature comforts including adjustable seats and steering wheel, power windows and Alpine stereo system. Despite this, the car was a real handful to drive because power steering and ABS only became available in later years.
It was eventually replaced by the Murcielago but we are quite sure that the one up for sale, will fetch a significant amount of money and will be an amazing collector’s item for the near future.
Ford’s F-150 Raptor is one powerful behemoth of a truck that needs no introduction. It’s a tough and capable off-roader that surmises the American dream of sticking it to the man as well as mother nature.
The Blue Oval has taken its latest Raptor and customized it to incorporate design cues of the US Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet. This particular truck has been auctioned off during the annual auction at AirVenture Oshkosh.
The purpose of this really cool customization job is to raise money and awareness for the Experimental Aircraft Association Gathering of Eagles. It’s an organization and an event committed to aviation and encouraging youth involvement in flight.
Over the years Ford has raised more than $3 million (RM 12,856,500) for this annual event since 2008 by creating these customized one-of-a-kind vehicles. The automaker has also served as exclusive automotive sponsor of the 2017 AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
This F-22 inspired F-150 Raptor was eventually picked up by Gary Ackerman of Gaudin Ford in Las Vegas, Nevada for a whopping $300,000 (RM 1,285,650). Ackerman serves as Honorary Commander/Ambassador for the United States Airforce’s F-22 Squadron at Nellis Airforce Base in Nevada.
Ford design manager Melvin Betancourt and Ford Performance led the design and engineering work of the F-22 F-150 Raptor, said, “Our job – both in the air and on the ground – is to intimidate the competition.The money we raised will enable Young Eagles to reach for the skies as well.”
The modifications that were made are more than skin deep and Ford has released an extensive list of features that set this particular Raptor apart from its civilian counterpart. The vehicle has custom suspension, unique exterior trim pieces and off-roading equipment that help it tackle the worst of conditions.
The following is what the truck comes with:
Whipple-intercooled, high-output 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost® making 545 horsepower and 895Nm of torque
Modified Addictive Desert Design front suspension and bump stop kit
Deaver rear spring pack to provide a smooth, progressive suspension
Fox bypass series shocks with adjustable compression and rebound valving to customize damping for on-road and off-road use
Innov8 Racing custom forged beadlock wheels with Falcon Wildpeak tyres
Modular off-road 1.3-million candela LED lighting system by KC Hilites
Kicker audio system with 1,500 watts of amplification
Unique Sherwin-Williams exterior paint integrating F-22 Raptor jet cues including titanium grille with front silhouette of the aircraft; jet cues
featured on the interior as well
Amp Research power retracting steps
DeBerti two-tyre, gas and ProEagle jack holder
LineX sprayed bedliner
All-stainless-steel cat-back Borla exhaust system with carbon fiber tips
DeBerti carbon fiber fender flares, hood and fender vents
Paint hand-cut and polished to a mirror finish by Independent Detail
The US Air Force’s F22 Raptor is a technological marvel for the 21st century. It is considered a stealth fighter that is able to evade enemy radar with relative ease. Unlike conventional fighter jets like the F-16 Fighting Falcon, its weapons are stored internally. Once the pilot has chosen the target and is ready to fire, only then do its pod bay doors open, exposing the precision weaponry.
This aircraft is one of the deadliest fighter jets in existence and as such, its no wonder that Ford chose it as the the design theme for its ever popular powerhouse, the F-150 Raptor.
Tesla’s resilience when faced with almost insurmountable challenges of making a practical electric car, has had an impact on the industry. It wasn’t too long ago when many mainstream automakers suggested that producing a practical electric car was still some ways off, and that the internal combustion engine was here to stay.
Now however, many have changed their tune and are willing to step into relatively uncharted waters and begin mass producing electrified powertrains. Not long ago, Volvo announced that it will only be building hybrid or fully electric vehicles from 2019 onward. Hyundai too are planning on a similar strategy sometime in the near future.
And if an article published by Autocar UK is to be believed, it would appear that Maserati, a well known Italian sports car company has decided to take the electrified route as well. It’s parent company FCA (Fiat Chrysler Autombiles) who also owns Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Dodge, want Maserati to take the lead and produce electrified vehicles and technology.
This same technology can then be adapted by the rest of the brands under the FCA umbrella and ensure that about half of the company’s model range comprises of either hybrid or EVs by 2022.
That said, the first electrified Maserati, which will probably be a hybrid, is predicted to be unveiled by 2020 at the earliest and may be based on the Alfieri concept that debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
The article goes on to speculate that Prior to the launch of that vehicle, Maserati might hybridize other current generation vehicles like the Levante SUV. Nothing is set in stone at the moment, but we won’t be surprised if the Italian automaker chooses to go fully electric in the not so distant future.
Many car buyers around the world are beginning to embrace hybrid and electric vehicles as the future of personal mobility. And as soon as there is sufficient infrastructure to sustain their practicality as daily drivers, that will be the final nail in the coffin of the internal combustion engine.
Ever wanted to own a racing car that could also double as your daily driver? Well, wonder no more because Acura, Honda’s performance arm in the US will be offering the race spec NSX GT3 for sale globally. The race-winning car is certified for professional competition and has been through extensive on-track development.
“We are extremely pleased with the progress and success of the NSX GT3 in our inaugural season,” said Art St. Cyr, President of HPD. “Winning at Detroit and Watkins Glen, two very different circuits, in this highly competitive class illustrates the breadth of capabilities of the NSX GT3. We look forward to seeing the car in Victory Circle at tracks around the world in 2018 and beyond.”
The carbon-fibre paneled car will be offered to customers with the full aero kit including front splitter, rear diffuser and GT wing. In fact, its chassis consists of a mutli-material body structure and TIG-welded chrome-moly roll cage. This NSX GT3 will be built along side the regular production car in Honda’s NSX exclusive manufacturing facility in Ohio, USA.
It’s engine will come from the same place that supplies the standard NSX with its powerplants. Technically the one in the NSX GT3 shares the same specs as the 3.5-litre turbo V6 in the standard car. They have the same block, heads, valve train, crankshaft, pistons and dry-sump lubrication system.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed, sequential-shift racing gearbox and unlike the regular car, this race-ready car is only rear wheel drive. Final assembly takes place in Italy where everything is put together and tested to ensure that it adhere’s to Honda’s stringent standards of quality and safety.
On top of that, the Japanese automaker will also be offering customer support for those who purchase the car, which includes parts, servicing, training and engineering services. The car carries a price tag of €465,000 or (RM2,338,682) and will be available to order from Acura’s specialized dealer network that include HPD for North America, JAS Motorsports (Europe, Middle-East, Asia) and Mugen for sales in Japan.
Though the relatively steep asking price won’t be to everybody’s liking, the NXS GT3 is an exceptionally capable racer that is worth the money. It has already won a number of races in its inaugural season of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition. And those wanting something a little more visceral than that offered by the standard NSX, won’t be disappointed with this race-ready car.
Brand loyalty isn’t as important to car buyers as it used to be. These days, many tend to look for models that offer the best bang for their buck rather than stick to a familiar nameplate. However, that isn’t the case for 78 year old Clif Hodson who is known for his love affair with the brand.
Hodson, a UK resident recently picked up a 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage from a dealer in Cheltenham. And it happens to bw his 14th Mitsubishi to date. His loyalty for vehicles made by the Japanese automaker is astounding to say the least. According to him, his affinity for the brand stems from their ability to produce vehicles that are both reliable and comfortable to use as a daily driver.
His first purchase was made in 1979 for a Mitsubishi Colt and in the following years, he and wife, Ann have bought a number of other models including a Sigma, Galant, Lancer, Spacestar, ASX and Mirage. In fact, they have sampled the various types of vehicles too, from MPVs and sedans to hatchbacks and crossovers.
Speaking of his love for the brand, Hodson, said, “The only issue I’ve ever had has been the coil failing on one of my first cars and when I called out the AA the patrolman said he’d never been out to a Mitsubishi before! I like all the equipment too, and my passion for the brand has rubbed off on my family with my daughter owning a Lancer and my granddaughter a small Colt.”
His financial situation has no bearing on his purchasing decisions either, Mitsubishi cars are all he desires. This became evident when he stated that, if he were to win the lottery, he’d rush out any buy a new ASX to use as the daily runabout and a Lancer Evolution for hooning about on a racetrack.
Amanda Gibson, Press & Public Relations Manager, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said, “We’re delighted that Mr Hodson is so passionate about Mitsubishi and with this year being the brand’s 100th anniversary, it’s great to hear of customers who are so fond of our cars. We really appreciate his enthusiasm and wish him many more miles of happy Mitsubishi motoring.”
In this age of ‘value deals’ its good to know that some car buyers value heritage and track record as much as their daily bread. Mitsubishi as a manufacturer is known for producing robust cars for the masses. A number of Proton cars were based on several versions of the Lancer and one on the Charisma. Their strong and reliable engines were at the heart of these dependable workhorses.
Bollinger Motors, a relatively new US automotive company has unveiled what it considers the first practical all-electric SUV. Based on the conventional three box design of more dated 4×4 vehicles like the Land Rover Defender, the Bollinger B10 is said to be a a rugged no-nonsense off-roader.
The boxy design is rather basic and combines elements of several classic vehicles. It incorporates some design elements of the Defender for the front fascia, as well as the A-pillars, but further back, the squared roof and c-pillars are reminiscent of older Jeep Wrangler models.
It’s all-aluminum chassis with a high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel rollover structure, is designed to handle the touchest of conditions. Overall weight is said to be 1,769kg and thanks to a dual motor setup, the B10 has a payload capacity of 2,767kg.
“The B1 combines Bollinger Motors’ advanced all-wheel-drive system with our all-electric powertrain to produce best-in-class horsepower, torque and ground clearance,” said CJ Winegar, Bollinger Motors engineer. “This vehicle signifies a huge leap above what is currently on the market. There’s nothing like it out there.”
At an overall length of 150 (in), a width of 1,493mm and a height 1,867mm, the B10 is by no means a small vehicle but thanks to clever enginering, it has a 50/50 weight balance for the front and rear.
Its painted in a gunmetal-like colour with black accents on the body work and the rims. Unlike most manufacturers, Bollinger Motors, isn’t trying to win any stylistic contests, instead, they want its capabilities to be its most talked about attribute.
On the inside, the basic black design continues and there’s only minimal gauges and switch gear. What’s unique however, is the machined table-like centre console that should allow for ample storage and placement of tools.
As mentioned earlier, power is supplied via two electric motors that provide a combined output of 360bhp and 640Nm of torque. According to the automaker, the B10 is able to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 204km/h.
These are synchronous electric motors that drive all four wheels. One is placed at the front and the other the rear, both are supplied with power by a lithium ion battery pack. Buyers can choose between a 60kWh or 100kWh version that produce either 193km or 322km range respectively.
Charging time varies depending on the battery pack. The smaller 60kWh takes 7.3 hours to fully charge but only 45 minutes using DC Fast Charge. The bigger 100kWh takes about 12.1 hours to charge but only 75 minutes with DC Fast Charge option. These numbers mean that if you lack the DC Fast Charging option, this won’t be the practical SUV that it is touted to be.
Bollinger Motors is currently in talks with a number of contract manufacturers to help them with building the B10. And once the deal has been finalized, the company is looking to start delivering vehicles to customers within two years.
Despite the ongoing diesel-gate scandal, Volkswagen’s sales figures don’t seem too shabby. Based on a report published by the automaker, things are starting to look rosy again for the German based manufacturer.
In the past two months alone, VW’s sales figures have grown by 3.5 to 4.0 percent. That equates to roughly 2.9 million vehicles that have been sold worldwide in the first half of this year. By comparison, the automaker managed to sell 0.3 percent more cars this year than it did during the same period in 2016.
There’s also been above average market growth in certain areas. in the US, where VW’s image has been hit the worst, saw an increase of about 8.2 percent. In South America there was a 12.2 growth, Russia recorded 17.9 while China only saw an increase of about 0.2 percent.
Volkswagen attributes the rise in sales these past few months to its broad portfolio of vehicles, which have been able to appeal to varying tastes. Despite the dark clouds that have been looming directly above the automaker, many car buyers still regard VW vehicles as some of the best in the world. And with the launch of new models like the Polo, Arteon and Tiguan Allspace, VW hopes this rusrugence in sales will be bolstered even further.
“The Volkswagen brand is on the right track. There is strong demand for our cars throughout the world and our strategic realignment is showing positive effects on business operations”, explained Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand.
He added, “We have successfully embarked on a new phase in our company. Our objective is to position Volkswagen in such a way that it is fully and completely viable for the future so that we can continue to play a leading role in the automobile world of the future.”
Financially, VW has taken a number of steps to help weather the storm, which include improving vehicle costs and optimizing its product portfolio. The result, is a robust manufacturing system that is able to cope with demand and churn out new as well as improved vehicles in a timely manner.
The Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand have said that sales forecast of this year is expected to rise 10 percent compared to the same period lat year. Also, an operating return of 2.5 to 3.5 percent on sales of higher end models is to be expected. Medium-term and long-term return on sales of the brand are expected to reach at least 4 per cent by 2020 and 6 per cent by 2025.
If things continue to pick up, VW may finally be able to put this diesel scandal behind them and continue to produce some of the best cars that they have to offer. And we hope that this happens sooner rather than later.
The wait is almost over for the highly anticipated Tesla Model 3, the more affordable and compact version of the highly popular full-size Model S. The car will be launched today and can be tailored to suit the individual needs of different drivers through ticks made in the option list.
When fully loaded, the car is said to cost similarly to the cheapest variant of the Model S, which isn’t saying much. Options for the Model 3 include Tesla Autopilot, 19-inch wheels, heated seats, LED lighting as well as a whole host of others.
Based on looks, the Model 3 features very similar styling to its bigger brother safe for the rather oddly shaped front fascia. the lights and overall look mimic that of the Porsche Panamera, which isn’t a bad thing.
Then there’s the cool yet minimalist interior that features an iPad style LCD screen as opposed to the oblong one featured in the bigger and more expensive Model S. The car has been tailored to be simple yet an effective mode of transportation for the modern and sustainable energy age.
Though it doesn’t have the supercar-like power of its bigger brother, the Model 3 is no slouch. It can sprint from 0-100km/h in about 5.6 seconds, sooner if it is equipped with the extended range package. It also has a range of about 500km on a single charge, making it a practical city runabout.
Then, there’s a also a slew of tech that include a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eight airbags, automatic emergency braking and collision avoidance, 12-way adjustable front seats, keyless entry and remote climate control with the use of the app, WiFi and LTE internet connectivity, electronic stability control and traction control.
The big deal with the Model 3 isn’t because of its chic styling or the fact that it can drive itself on highways. The reason for all this hype surrounding the car’s imminent launch date, is because its a game changer. Never before has a practical, energy efficient and technology packed vehicle been available with a fully electric powertrain.
Many automakers have tried but nobody has perfected the recipe quite like Tesla. And should Elon Musk’s team be able to sort out the production back log issues, EVs will eventually be able to realistically replace petrol powered ones in the near future.
We shall have to wait and see if the car lives up to our high expectation or whether it will be marred by delays due to manufacturing complications. Reports say that should you order a model 3 today, you can expect to have your car delivered in 12 to 18 months’ time. If the car does become a run away success, it should make petrol powered ones look obsolete.
Rolls-Royce has released the new Phantom, which is said to be the best one ever made thanks to a new modular construction method, better sound insulation and a slew of tech. The overall look isn’t dissimilar from the car it replaces, there’s still the signature front fascia and elegantly sculpted silhouette that seems like it stretches for miles.
That said, the devil is in the detail, because vast yet subtle improvements have been made to make the car a marked improvement over its predecessor. The Pantheon grille sits flush with the rest of the bodywork, a first for any Rolls-Royce vehicle. This has been done to give the front fascia a more elegant and uncluttered look.
Then, there’s also the incredibly shortened overhangs at the front and rear which give the car a more compact look. The side profile has been toned down slightly for a more subtle finish and the rear features a familiar yet modernized design that that is distinct to the nameplate.
The body is based on a modular all-aluminum space frame that will underpin all future Rolls-Royce vehicles. It can be used and altered to suit a whole slew of models regardless of powertrain differences. This move, according to the manufacturer, will allow it better flexibility in planning and building cars that best exemplify the brand.
As such, the new Phantom is 30 per cent more rigid than its predecessor and will be more agile, offer better stability as well as improved comfort to all occupants. It improves over what was previously offered thanks to this new construction method.
Special deadening material such as foam has been used to line the car to reduce ambient noise to almost a negligible level. There’s also a double layer skin to the bodywork that helps isolate the cabin from ambient noises outside.
The tyres too have not been spared, as they are called ‘Silent Seal’ tyres and feature a special foam layer placed inside to wipe out tyre cavity noise and reduce overall tyre noise by 9db.
Inside, the cabin is crafted with some of the most luxurious materials fitted to any car. The instrument cluster is now fully digital and the rest of the switch gear has been tastefully arranged in an uncultured manner. What may seem as an afterthought though, is the positioning of the car’s analogue clock which is placed in a metal plaque and placed towards the front passenger.
The car still has the same door configuration as before and by pressing the individual buttons, all four doors can be opened and closed at the occupants’ convenience. Though not revolutionary, its a desired feature for Rolls-Royce owners because resorting to manual labour is very much beneath them.
“Key to Rolls-Royce realizing its vision of being the world’s leading luxury brand, today and in the future, is an architecture that spans the entire Rolls-Royce family,”comments Philip Koehn, Director of Engineering. “The Architecture of Luxury will carry every future Rolls-Royce, not just the New Phantom. Project Cullinan and eventually the next Ghost, Wraith, Dawn will ride on this architecture, as well as future coach build projects.”
Under the enormous hood, is a new 6.75-litre V12 engine that is equipped with two turbochargers. Total output is rated at 563bhp and an impressive 900Nm of torque from as low as 1,700rpm. It’s mated to a ZF 8-speed gearbox that pulls data from the Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), which prepares the powertrain to cope with the roads directly ahead of it.
The car has a new double-wishbone front axle and 5-link rear axle that are part of its supposed best-in-class air suspension. This self-leveling setup executes millions of calculations a second to maintain the plaint ride quality regardless of the road surfaces. It monitors steering input, body roll, acceleration as well as other factors to maintain a composed ride quality.
This self-leveling air suspension also makes use of stereo cameras to inspect the road ahead and continuously adjust itself at speeds of up to 100km/h. This results in a very smooth ride quality, which should live up to the Rolls-Royce image.
As expected, the Phantom comes equipped with a slew of safety tech that include Alertness Assistant, a 4-camera system with Panoramic View, all-round visibility including helicopter view, Night Vision and Vision Assist, Active Cruise Control, collision warning, pedestrian warning, cross-traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning, 7×3 high-resolution head-up display, WiFi hotspot as well as the latest navigation and entertainment systems.
Though the new Phantom doesn’t feature revolutionary changes in terms of design elements, there isn’t much you can fault the car with. There was nothing really wrong with the old car which debuted in 2003, and the new improvements, keep the car up to date with the latest machinery we have today.
