The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG's retro design evokes the 300 SL.
(Credit: CNET)
With all the very expensive new cars being unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show, you would think the economy never went into recession. It did, and yet here they are, a parade of new automotive objects of lust from the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, and Rolls-Royce. Some emphasize sport, some luxury, but all have way more of each than your standard economy sedan.
Leading the parade is the spectacular new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a monster of a supercar with retro styling evoking the gull-winged 300 SL. Porsche shows off a couple of 911s, the styling only slightly updated but big improvement where it counts: in the engine, transmission, and suspension. Ferrari comes up with a replacement for the F430, managing to improve on that already fantastic supercar. And then there's Abarth, which offers up a tribute to Ferrari in the form of a heavily modified Fiat 500.
A number of convertibles follow, the tops chopped off of an Audi R8, Lamborghini Reventon, and Maserati GranTurismo. And finally, a couple of stately sedans from Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce take the floor.
Yesterday I previewed this weekend's SCORE Terrible's Primm 300 race taking place in Las Vegas. Well, this current weekend is also the time of another annual motorsport event, although it is quite different from the off road race taking place in Sin City. In fact, this race doesn't take place anywhere close to Vegas - you're gonna have to jump across the pond to the United Kingdom, for that is the locale of this year's final race for Classic Endurance Racing - the Autosport 1000 KM of Silverstone.
Classic Endurance Racing (CER) was founded in 2004 as an attempt to revive classic sports car endurance racing within Europe. Each season consists of four rounds of racing at different locations and each race lasts for sixty minutes. CER is proud of its emphasis on classic sports cars from the 60s and 70s, and you'll definitely run across some vintage Peugeots, Ferraris, Porsches, and Aston Martins at these events, restored and ready for the race track.
While this weekend's event takes place at the famous Silverstone Circuit track in the U.K., the best video I found as a prelude to covering this event is a well-produced video from a 2007 Classic Endurance Racing event in Nürburgring, Germany which has become a regular yearly stop in a CER season. While there isn't a whole lot of actual racing going on in this clip, we do however get an up close look at these mighty fine automobiles both inside and out. And yeah, I know the narration and interviews are all in German, but so what? With all this automotive eye candy, I'm not paying attention to the commentary anyway.
Aston Martin engineers work on the concept Cygnet.
(Credit: Aston Martin)There's an old joke, part of which says that in hell, the cooks are English. If that's true, then today's news suggests our world is far from fiery. Aston Martin has taken Toyota's iQ small car platform and built a luxury commuter car.
Aston Martin suggests the iQ-based concept Cygnet would work like a yacht's tender to a DB9, DBS, or Vantage. There is even a suggestion in Aston Martin's press release that the Cygnet could be sold as an option to one of Aston Martin's bigger cars.
We like the idea that a luxury car doesn't have to be a huge gas guzzler. Lexus is already exploiting that theme with its new HS 250h. And we can imagine that a fuel-sipping iQ would be quite nice fitted with wood and leather coachwork, a pothole-absorbing suspension, and sound-deadening cabin. Especially as dense traffic in urban areas means you're not exactly tapping the 470 horsepower available in a DB9.
The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage is put to a road test by reviewers from the U.K.'s Autocar. The road test even includes a brief race against the Porsche GT2.
The Vantage, which sports a 6-liter V-12, made its debut at the 2009 Geneva auto show.
Check out this Web video to see which car wins and what the reviewer really thinks about the Vantage.
(Credit:
Spantax)
Certain cars feature such atrocious designs that they become automotive legends. Think cars such as the AMC Pacer and Pontiac Aztek. In the last year, we've seen quirky designs that may reach such legendary status from the vaunted brands BMW, Acura, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin. Some of these designs are attempts at entering the crossover segment, building an SUV with the fuel economy and ride quality of a car. Others attempt to expand model lineups dominated by sports cars, giving the prospective buyer who wants to add a baby seat an option. Take a look at these photos to see the results of these design efforts.
Girls love a guy in a truck, because it says you can help them move furniture, said Patti Stanger, CEO of matchmaking service Millionaire Club 123.
(Credit: Land Rover)From hairstyles to hypnosis, Patti Stanger, CEO of matchmaking service Millionaire Club 123, knows exactly what it takes to make a match.
I caught up with Stanger who also stars in the reality series "The Millionaire Matchmaker" while she was promoting her book "Become Your Own Matchmaker" for advice on the best cars for attracting girls.
Hands down, Stanger recommends a Bentley Continental GT. "It says, I have money and will shower you with gifts and attention," says Stanger. On top of it, it says classy.
Other top contenders include the Mercedes Maybach, which is even more expensive and impressive than the Bentley. "It says Gazillionaire," explains Stanger.
If you're going for the "hip, cool guy" look, consider the Aston Martin DB9 (watch this CNET TV video of the Aston Martin DB9 Volante). It's two steps above the Porsche, said to Stanger, which is typically driven by the 55-year old going through a midlife crisis.
However, she said she's not a fan of Ferraris of any sort--the typical go-to sports car--which screams "little dick" to Stanger.
"If you want to be off-the-beaten-path with a real sports car, you get a Viper," says Stanger.
However, the regular viewers of her show know that the same American muscle appeal doesn't work with yellow Corvettes, which Stanger says are "uglier than ugg."
... Read more
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET)
The Aston Martin DB5 is the traditional James Bond movie car, but as we focus on tech cars, we stepped into the present with a look at the Aston Martin DB9 Volante, which includes navigation, Bluetooth cell phone support, and even iPod integration. Still a fabulous-looking car, the DB9 also provides the handling JB would need while outrunning Spectre agents.
Driving the Aston Martin DB9, EPA starts a new era of emissions controls, GM is still talking bankruptcy, and Mitsubishi pulls the trigger on an electric car.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
SHOW NOTES
• CNET drives the Aston Martin DB9 Volante
• Minicars get crushed by bigger ones
GENEVA--Aston Martin's Lagonda SUV was easily the top attention-getter at the auto show here. Few were neutral. Many were outraged.
(Credit:
Automotive News)
But Aston design director Marek Reichman says that's what he expected when the concept surprised journalists on the final media day.
Reaction was reminiscent of, say, the debut of the Bangle-butt BMW 7 series at the 2001 Frankfurt show.
"Abomination," blogged Dutch Mandel, editor of AutoWeek. "Please, dear God, you aren't serious!"
Others were more accepting of the massive, jarring vehicle that was crammed onto a tight corner of the Aston stand.
"You need time," said Reichman, a former Ford designer. "I had one journalist say he's been back four times, and every time he sees something new. It should push the boundaries a little bit. If everyone patted me on the back and said, 'It's absolutely fabulous, blah, blah,' I'm not sure that would be lasting."
With the $200,000-plus SUV, Aston is relaunching the Lagonda brand, which has been dormant since the early 1990s.
(Credit:
Automotive News)
The beefy Lagonda is just less than 200 inches long. It has a tailgate, foldback seats, all-wheel drive and slightly higher ground clearance than a sedan.
"It's for all terrains, all situations," said Reichman. "It doesn't have all the approach and departure angles of a true off-roader. But it can cope with the winding roads from Moscow to St. Petersburg in inclement weather."
The vehicle is aimed largely at developing countries such as Russia, China and India, which have plenty of wealth but infrastructures unsuited for sports cars.
The Lagonda's controversial elements? To start with, there is the sheer bulk and the tiny rear slit of a window -- a bow to one of the 1930s Lagondas that inspired the car, the 1938 LG6.
Still, the vehicle is a good bet for production.
"It is based on the Mercedes GL platform, so we are thinking about the potential," Reichman said.
Could it be built in Vance, Ala., where the GL is produced?
"To us it would make more sense to build it in the U.K.," he said.
Either way, production would not begin for 24 to 30 months.
And what about that bracing feedback?
Said Reichman: "It's a show, and we wanted to show something for people to react to."
(Source: Automotive News)
Aston Martin's upcoming One-77 hypercar features a 7.3-liter V-12 that outputs over 700 horsepower and they're only making 77 of them. You think Aston's obsession with the number seven has anything to do with a particular superspy?
Join us as we check out the Aston Martin One-77 at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
