SCORPIO'S GARAGE: February 2015

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Here’s Why the New Ford GT Really Has an EcoBoost V6

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Posted by Jonathon Klein

When rumors started circulating about the new Ford GT, I, like many other people, had pegged Ford to drop in the company’s new flat plane crank (FPL) V8 from the Shelby GT350R. It just made sense.

Ford had just spent millions of dollars on research and development for the new FPL engine, so how else would the company recoup their losses? It had to go into something else besides the GT350 twins, because it’s not like those are going to head out the doors like gangbusters, right?

But when the time came to unveil it, Ford literally stunned the world with a near production-ready supercar. One that was powered by Ford’s EcoBoost V6, no less. It just didn’t make sense to me that Ford put this engine into the brand’s halo car. Of course, Ford’s success in the IMSA series can’t be overlooked, and the smaller EcoBoost ST family is doing quite well.

Nevertheless, the EcoBoost nameplate still doesn’t have the brand cache that Ford’s V8s do. Nor the history. It seemed like Ford was just using this EcoBoost powered Ford GT as a way to sell Focuses or Fiestas. It seemed misguided, at best.

While the thought of this car bugged me for quite some time, the car in person is absolutely stunning. Furthermore, after talking with the lead designer at the Chicago Auto Show, the engineering behind the car is frankly ridiculous. But that motor just still didn’t feel like the right choice.

Then it hit me like 420 lb-ft of torque to the chest. I realized how wrong my assumptions and misconceptions of what this car is and why that EcoBoost engine is the perfect powertrain. And it was all because of an aluminum truck.

Now some of you may think you see where I’m going with this, and I’ll tell you— you may be right. On the other hand, you’re probably wrong. It wasn’t a revelation after I was done driving the new aluminum F-150 with the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost that it all made sense. The real catalyst for me coming around was rather a combination of a memory and epiphany.

In our interview, the designer said something that stuck in the back of my head: this new Ford GT wasn’t an homage to the original GT40, much like the earlier version was. It also wasn’t really the original’s spiritual successor. This car was a brand spankin’ new Ford GT. He said that this car is what they thought the original would have been if it were created now.

Follow? This new Ford GT. This brilliant piece of automotive art and engineering is what the new Ford designer think the original designers and hot rodders would have built if they had been tasked to build the original today. Think about that for a second. Shelby and Ford standing around the table with Harley Copp trying to figure out the best way to beat Ferrari, here and now in 2015.

They’d have access to carbon fiber technology, dual clutch transmissions, carbon brakes, and yes, even turbochargers. Think about the racing lineage and how that defined the original car— how endurance racing made this car the icon that it is today. How would those same designers build this car once again? By sticking another truck motor into it, that’s how. But with a twist.

When Ford and Copp handed over the GT program to Carroll Shelby, it was pretty much a Hail Mary pass. For two years, Copp and Ford struggled to bring their racing GT program up to par with the Italian’s from Modena.

And for those two years, they saw no success. It was a devastating defeat, one that salted the wound for Ford after the entire Ferrari debacle in ’63. Ford knew it really didn’t matter to hand over the winless race program to an unproven Shelby. So what did Shelby do? Yup, he stuck a truck motor into it. It made loads of horsepower, and absolutely dominated the track for four consecutive years.
Fast forward to today, where modern endurance racing isn’t just about horsepower or lightweight technology. To be successful in any endurance race, you have to not only be quick, but also be consistent and able to survive hours on the track. Races are sometimes won in the pits.

So while the engine is still out of a truck, thus keeping with tradition and the spiritual DNA of the original Ford GT, it’s an elevated truck motor. It not only has the potential for more horsepower than those original designers could have ever hoped for, but it benefits from all the modern fuel saving technologies that have come along in the last 50 years.

This motor, this car, this entire project makes perfect sense now. Not only can Ford firmly state that this new supercar stays true to the original designs and DNA that made the GT40 great, but look forward to the future of all supercars. Much like the original did all those years ago.

The Ford GT is definitely something special, and has the power to inflate egos, start arguments, and definitely piss off Ferrari’s Tifosi. But that original car set about a trend that would later dominate the world’s supercars. It would define a generation of race fans, and it would inspire bedroom artwork the world over. It was something humble, but fiercely competitive at the same time, and that’s what this new Ford GT is in the end. A new beginning— for both it and its truck motor.

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2016 Audi R8 Looks Even Better as a Spyder

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Posted by Zach Doell

Whichever way you look at it, Audi has stuck to its guns with the all-new 2016 R8. The firm has refined the car’s bodywork, upped its power, and trimmed the fat – all important ingredients in the supercar recipe. But Audi’s decision not to overly revolutionize the R8 has left some fans wanting more.

To those fans we say, “hold your horses.” Because if these new renders from X-Tomi Design reflect the R8′s upcoming convertible version – the R8 Spyder – it should be an absolute stunner. In fact, it might just be the one to have. Check out the new R8 hardtop here for comparison.

The striking drop-top does well to enhance the coupe’s new hard-lined features, from its chunky and angular side scoops, to its squared off rear end, and especially its vented rear deck, which replaces the standard car’s glass canopy.

Where most convertibles look more like an afterthought, this conceptualization looks purposeful and mighty attractive… much in the same way that the Porsche 918 Spyder looks better with the top down, than up.

Audi is mum on when the 2016 R8 Spyder will make its figure known to the world, though the drop-top supercar is expected to make its production debut early next year.

Regardless of convertible or coupe, the R8′s performance figures prove it can get can certainly get the job done. The new R8 weighs roughly 110 pounds less than the old version, and will arrive boasting two flavors of its 5.2-liter V10 – a standard 532hp version, and a searing 602hp version. Zero to 60 mph? That will take just 3.2 seconds. Start saving now.

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Fast Cars, Loud Trucks and Cool People: The Daytona Experience

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Posted by Jeff Perez

When people tell you there’s nothing like Daytona, there really is nothing like Daytona. Standing there with a beer in one hand and a fist in the other, waiting for that green flag to drop — it’s one of the most exciting things I’ve ever been a part of.

This was my first time. I’ve been to Talladega, Homestead, Circuit of the Americas, and a few other small tracks in between. But when those lights are on and that giant ‘Daytona’ emblem is staring back at you from the grass, you really feel like you’re dead in the heart of Nascar.

I got into Daytona last Thursday and already I could tell I was smack dab in the middle of Speedweeks. That’s what they call all the events leading up to last weekend’s 500 race. It’s surreal— it’s like the whole town shuts down to get ready for this monumental event.

Toyota was kind enough to keep myself and a few other journalists up in a nice hotel on the beach. Though, truthfully, it wasn’t used for much more than drunkenly passing out after the race.
We spent our whole day at the track; walking through the pits, checking out the cars, doing a few interviews. Matt Kenseth’s crew chief was one the first people we were able to speak with.

He walked us through what it takes getting a car ready for the duels and leading up to the 500. Basically, it was a lot of really technical racing stuff that pretty much went in one ear and out the other.
After that crash course, we walked over to the truck series garage. That was an entirely different animal. The trucks are sitting out in the open, everything seemed more hectic and urgent. It gives you that real Nascar feeling.

Being that close to the action, and watching all the teams work, you can tell that, albeit a far cry from the likes of F1 and endurance racing, there’s something so likable about the people and the cars. It’s easy to see why Nascar fans are so rabid. Amidst all the organized chaos, we had a chance to talk to Matt Crafton.

If you don’t know who Crafton is, he’s kind of a big deal. He’s been racing in the truck series for a number of years, and is one of Toyota’s — if not the entire series’ — most successful drivers. Winning a back-to-back truck series championship was previously unheard of, until Crafton came along.

After a short quip with Crafton, we made our way over to interview Clint Bowyer, who — only a few days previously — wrecked during qualifying and wasn’t all too happy with Nascar’s new rule changes. He was in a better mood when we talked to him, thankfully.

We asked him some basic questions. Though, if you know Clint Bowyer, he isn’t one for spitting back some generic answers. It was like talking to an excited buddy who’s telling you about his new car. Except his new car was a Toyota Camry stock car that he hoped would be crossing the finish line first at Daytona. He ended up doing pretty well, finishing in seventh.

The piéce de résistance from the weekend was actually getting on the track. Ok, so it wasn’t in a stock car — Toyota Tundra, actually — but I was actually one of those guys in the truck doing driver introductions. And guess who was in the back of my truck? That’s right, Joey Logano, the guy who won this year’s Daytona 500. It’s pretty clear that my superb driving skills wore off on him.

That’s what Daytona is: Fast cars, cool people, and some really crazy fans. I loved every minute of it. If you’ve never been, immediately put that on your bucket list.

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Mercedes Unleashes V8-Powered AMG GT3

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Posted by Zach Doell

Racecars don’t win championships based on intimidation factor or ‘coolness’. They earn the top spot through clever engineering, precise power application, and the dark art of aerodynamics. But mix technical ability with striking visuals and, well, you’re on track for success, pun intended.

This is the all-new 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT3, and if you’re awaiting a new Mercedes racer for next year’s FIA GT3 racing season… this is it. The heady coupe picks up the reigns where the outgoing SLS AMG GT3 leaves off, though carries over one important bit from the old car. The engine.

Peel back the layers of the GT3′s all-new bodywork (based on the standard AMG GT roadcar), and you find Mercedes’ sonorous 6.3-liter V8. The firm has so far been mum on its power output, but figures just north of 500 horsepower sound adequate. The naturally aspirated V8 funnels its power to a six-speed sequential transaxle, helping the GT3 achieve optimal power application and weight distribution.

Zoom out further however and you’ll quickly realize this is not merely an SLS with a new skin, though its matte grey complexion is quite enthralling. The AMG GT3 features the GT’s body, which has been nipped, tucked, and pulled wider to manipulate .

aerodynamics in the best way possible. As with any new-age racer, there’s plenty of carbon fiber too – found in the hood, the wing, the front and rear apron, the side skirts, and diffusers. Underneath, the GT3 totes a lightweight aluminum spaceframe backbone, along with many aluminum suspension components.

While it surely looks up to the job, the new AMG GT3 has quite the reputation to live up to. The SLS GT3 has notched nearly 200 overall racing victories since it hit the track in 2010, with an impressive 34 in 2014 alone. Need to see more? The AMG GT3 will debut in full next week at the Geneva Motor Show.

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Friday, February 27, 2015

8 Classic Cars the World is Glad to Have Back

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Posted by Zach Doell

Cars are generally regarded to be pretty tough. But between taking the brunt of a crash or conquering Earth’s most remote places, no amount of toughness can save a car from the end of its production run — and that’s somewhat sad.

So when our friends at Wired wrote about the classic cars that still look great decades later, it made us cherish the iconic nameplates we still have around (Mustang, 911, Corvette) but more importantly – the ones that came back from the grave.

We’ve compiled eight of our currently in-production favorites, let us know which cars you would add!

Fiat 500

The average car is not a cultural icon. Fiat’s teeny-tiny 500 is, however, exactly that. Weighing in at a slight 1,100 pounds and measuring no longer than 10 feet, the inexpensive 500 debuted in 1957 and effectively motorized the Italian public.

It would go on to yield the popular Fiat 126 in the ’70s and other small hatchbacks, before returning triumphantly in 2007. This version might put its drive-wheels and engine in the front (rather than the original rear layout), but it hasn’t lost any of its quirky appeal.

Chevrolet Camaro

A good rivalry is the lifeblood of the performance automobile. That is until it becomes a knockout blow. That was the case of the Chevrolet Camaro, which had been squaring off against Ford’s Mustang for 36 years before it met its end in 2002 due to shrinking sales.

As you’ve surely noticed, its time away from the office only tightened and toned the breed. An edgier Camaro reemerged in 2010, and continues to be a match for the ‘Stang on track and in the showroom.

Acura NSX

In the early ’80s, Honda decided to undertake a radical project to bring Formula 1 style performance to the road – we all waited feverishly until 1990. The end result was Honda/Acura’s incredible NSX, what with its midship V6, lightweight aluminum chassis, and hardcore ‘R’ variants. It hung around for quite a while too, before finally disappearing 15 years later in 2005. It is back however, and this 2016 hybrid version looks to be quite the performer.

Mini Cooper

Admittedly, the lovable Mini never really went away… but it did effectively change teams. Legendary car designer Alec Issigonis penned the original Mini designs in the late ’50s, and by the end of its lifespan in 2000, the revolutionary city car had sold to the tune of over five million units. BMW stepped into the picture in 1994 and sold off Mini’s parent company (Rover Group) in 2000, but kept a newly designed Mini around for the world to keep enjoying.

Ford GT

Sometimes the best new car is the one you’ve already made. Ford knew this and in 2005 the Blue Oval rebooted its legendary GT40 racer in the form of the road-going GT. It celebrated the automaker’s centenary and the GT40′s four-for-four winning streak at Le Mans. As a limited production supercar – it only stuck around for two years. Now it’s back, and with a twin-turbo V6 making over 600 horsepower, it looks as hardcore as ever.

Volkswagen New Beetle

Despite its rather humble appearance, the original Volkswagen Beetle was a watershed moment in automotive history. Its simple, dependable, and practical design paved the way for over six decades of production and a staggering 21 million built.

The redesigned Beetle made its return in 1998, and though its latest counterpart hasn’t exactly reached that same mass appeal, VW’s turbocharged and 210 horsepower R-Line model proves it’s certainly no slouch.

Dodge Charger / Dodge Challenger

Between the many performance cars of the ’60s muscle era, few rank higher than Dodge’s own Charger and Challenger, known for their bad-boy looks and hard-hitting Hemi thunder. But by the 1980s, that thunder was more of an unnoticed rumble… or a plane flying overhead.

The Challenger disappeared after 1983 and the Charger followed it out in 1987. Worry not though, the breed is quite healthy today as seen by the unbelievably powerful Challenger and Charger Hellcat models, capable of turning 707 horsepower into patches of bubbling asphalt.

5 Best Cars for Catching Llamas

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Posted by Jeff Perez

That’s it, Phoenix, your nightmare is over. Following in the wake of #Llamapocalypse2015, police and one very brave guy with a rope caught and detained two wild llamas roaming the streets. If you haven’t seen it, you should.

But they should have been more prepared if you ask me. With these five modes of transportation, Phoenix police and guys with rope everywhere would have had an easier time of wrangling these two rascals.

Subaru Brat

Off road compatibility, nimble, and able to fit at least one and a half llamas in the back. Where is the guy with the Subaru Brat when you need him?

Local Motors Rally Fighter

The llama did manage to get themselves into some rough desert terrain (and golf courses). Thankfully, the Local Motors Rally Fighter can conquer anything any llama throws at it. Plus, they’re right down the street. Someone should have called them.

Ford Mustang Convertible

Just like they did in the old west, hop in your Mustang GT and wrangle you up some llamas. They had llamas in the old west, right?

Land Rover Defender

These things were built for the wilderness, not even two llamas can escape the mighty Land Rover Defender.

Another Llama

Llamas are social creatures, thus, riding another llama into battle to capture two rogues would likely be the ideal solution. C’mon, Phoenix, get it together next time.

James Glickenhaus Unleashes Monumental SCG003 GT Cars

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Posted by Tony Markovich

James Glickenhaus is back with a new supercar, and this time, a street-legal version will actually be available to the public. The project, named the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003 has two versions, the SCG003S (above) and the SCG003C (below).

The “S” stands for Stradale and represents the road-going version. The “C” stands for Competizione and is indicative of the race version. Both the chassis and body of the SCG003 are constructed of carbon fiber for ultra low weight.

In the engine bay is a twin-turbo V6 engine that is paired with a Hewland paddle-shift gearbox. Suspension wise, it has purshrods set up in both the front and rear.

If you know your racing, the livery on the Competizione should look familiar. It is a tribute to the MkIV Ford GT40 in 1967. The LMP1-inspired SCG003C will compete in the GT class and will first appear in the Nurburgring 24 in May.

Maybe the coolest part of these cars is that they’re built so you can drive the car to the track, convert into race mode, compete, and flip back to cruise back home. Glickenhaus wanted to bring it back to the old ways of racing. Both cars will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week, and the road car will start to be delivered in late 2015.

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Jensen GT Rises from the Dead at Geneva Motor Show

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Posted by Keith Griffin

Four decades later, and the Jensen GT returns to existence at the Geneva Motor Show next week. It’s a joint project between the Jensen Group and Jensen International Automotive, but nevertheless, it looks like something to be desired.

According to JIA, Jonathan Gould has been commissioned to create the Jensen GT. It’s a retro tribute of sorts to the last Jensen Interceptors built in 1976. In 2002, the carmaker would collapse.

Now it’s back with a hand-built, fairly modern interpretation that still embraces its heritage. Gould has two decades experience working on bespoke Bentleys and Rolls-Royce Corniches. He also was a design consultant for the Modec EV project. It was an electric truck project that flourished briefly from 2007 to 2011 before running out of cash and going bankrupt.

But not for lack of distinctive style. Gould has kept it up with the GT, which embraces Lamborghini’s Superleggera design philosophy of superlight elements like aluminum side panels. Carbon fiber is used on the roof, center section and bulkhead.

A GM aluminum supercharged 6.4-liter V8 with direct injection, variable valve timing and dry sump lubrication has been sourced for the GT. Buyers will have the option of either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. All models will be rear-wheel drive.

Other design touches include the modern influence of LED front and rear light clusters. The 19-inch wheels are single piece forged aluminum. The overall weight for the two-door coupe is 3366 lbs.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet. Some early estimates suggest it might be north of a half-million bucks.

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Thursday, February 26, 2015

1958 Ex-Mercedes Training Bus is a Rare eBay Find

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Posted by Zach Doell

It takes a certain person to love a van or a bus, but it doesn’t take that same eye to recognize an important one when you see it. A good rule to live by? If it says “Mercedes-Benz Mobile Training Unit” in faded lettering on the side… take a second look.

This elderly 1958 Mercedes-Benz L-319 panorama bus shows that exact branding. Though it has surely seen better days, we reckon this one is quite special. But best of all, it packs an apparently quite desirable and rare sunroof option. Interested? You can find it up for sale on eBay.

1958 Mercedes-Benz L-319 panorama bus photo

The Mercedes L-319 family began back in 1955, offering up a larger industrial workhorse that was bigger than Mercedes’ passenger vehicle offerings yet smaller than the automaker’s big L-3500 trucks. An L-319 van was the first model to debut, and Mercedes quickly followed up with panel van, flatbed truck, bus, and even firetruck variants.

While designed to be tough and durable, they weren’t exactly what you’d call fast. Many of the L-319s used four-cylinder diesel engines plucked from Mercedes’ contemporary vehicle lineup. That meant around 40 horsepower on tap and a top speed of “not much”. 1968 signaled the end of the forward-control L-319 series, replaced by the long-running T2 generation. With numbers dwindling, restoration candidates such as this loom like dinosaurs.

According to the seller, this L-319 was originally used as a transport and training vehicle for Mercedes-Benz North America employees.

Up top it features the highly sought after sunroof option, and below it tacks on its original dually rear axle. The engine has since been exchanged for a GM motor, however all of the glass apart from the rear window appears to be present and in decent shape.
Looking for a party bus?

Show this old Merc some TLC and you’ll have quite the keeper on your hands.
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2017 Honda S2000: 5 Things To Expect

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Posted by Jeff Perez

In 1999, Honda took a page out of its own history book and decided to revive the art of open-top driving with the S2000. A successor to the Honda roadsters of the ’60s, the S2000 was a performance-oriented, 4-cylinder powered piece of automotive perfection.

Production lasted 10 years — 1999-2009 — before Honda officially parted ways with the beloved rag top. Six years later and rumors of a reborn S2000 are all over the web. Honda even went as far as to tease us with a lovely little S660 concept in 2013.
But is there any merit to these rumors?

We think yes. Honda is finally back on the up and up in the U.S., and the idea of a reborn roadster could sway a younger generation back to the brand. A few things need to happen in order for it to be successful, though.

Eye-Catching Design

Like the new Mazda MX-5, a reborn Honda S2000 would have to separate itself from the rest of the lineup. Sort of like the concept we mocked up here, with the help of Hansen Art. Honda doesn’t have a ‘halo car’ to speak of (aside from the upcoming Acura NSX), so the S2000 would essentially take that place.

Powerful (Enough) Engine

Unlike the Scion FR-S, the Honda S2000 needs to have enough power to keep people interested other than just in the corners; 250 horsepower might be the perfect mix of power and precision needed to get people into the driver’s seat.

Convertible and Coupe

Everyone loves the roadster, but in reality, the more practical coupe is the one people will be buying in bulk. But, Honda could bring back the hard top convertible and make everyone happy at once.

It SHOULD Have a Manual

The manual gearbox is dying and only a few brands are willing to keep it around. Honda is one of those brands— always have and (hopefully) always will be. I can’t imagine an S2000 without a manual shifter. That would be blasphemy.

Rear-Wheel Drive, Of Course

I think this one is a given. In order to keep the purists happy, the more powerful engine and the manual gearbox would have to be paired to a rear-wheel drive setup.

Otherwise, what’s the point?

At the end of the day, whether a new S2000 actually happens or not is up to the big wigs over at Honda. But with rumors circulating and concepts showing up often, it’s only a matter of time before we see the S2K on the streets once again. Fingers crossed for this one.
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Forget the Vulcan, this Rare Widebody Aston Martin is a Screamer

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Posted by Zach Doell

The talk of the town continues to be Aston Martin’s all-new Vulcan – a 7.0-liter V12 toting, 800 horsepower track monster that makes actual race cars look docile. It will however cost you an alleged $2.3 million… which is a lot, and Aston Martin will only build 24 of them. Pity.

If you are in the market for a loony Aston but don’t have that kind of money, we suggest this. It’s a 1991 Aston Martin Virage and it sports one of Aston Martin’s rare widebody packages as well as a thonking big 6.3-liter V8. Like what you see? It’s up for sale on eBay.

The Virage debuted in 1988, and is commonly pegged as the first new Aston in decades, replacing the aged yet gorgeous Aston Martin V8 Vantage from the ’70s and ’80s. It came equipped with a 5.3-liter V8, which was good for 330 horsepower, but allegedly wasn’t enough to deal with its rather heavy curb weight and offset its steep $200,000 price tag. Aston Martin’s Works Service heard these grumblings and decided to do something about it.

This was that stunning result. For around $80,000 extra, Aston would equip a customer’s car with this bulging aluminum widebody kit, add on massive five-spoke wheels, chompy 14-inch disc brakes, a stiffer suspension, and a stainless steel exhaust. But the biggest gain comes from under the hood.

The factory bored and stroked the original 5.3-liter V8 out to 6.3-liters, added larger valves, high lift cams, and a revised crankshaft, which equated to a heady 456 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. Yowza!

According to the seller, this 1991 model was originally exported to Germany before it entered the US in 2000, and remains one of just about 50 cars in total to get the coveted ‘Works package’. Mileage on a vintage bruiser like this is crucial and the Virage shows a scant 28,242 miles total.

The $2.3 million Vulcan is certainly the faster car, by far and away, but this Aston tells quite the interesting story.

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2016 Audi R8 is as Sharp as a Surgeon’s Scalpel

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Posted by Jonathon Klein

One thing is for certain, during Auto Show season, most manufacturers can’t hold on to their reveals until the car is supposed to officially debut. We’ve already seen teaser after teaser for the new Audi R8, and now, it’s officially here.

After the last few teasers, Audi has dropped the curtain on its newest supercar. From the ground up, this is a very new animal. Every little bit of this car is new and ready to be a precise weapon.

While the last R8 V10 was a wonderful beast, Audi wanted to use everything it had learned through the last generation to finally bring its new supercar firmly into this decade.

To do that Audi first started with a new lightweight chassis, which according to Audi is 110 lbs lighter than the last R8 V10. That’s primarily thanks to an extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastics and aluminum. Due to that new structure, the car is now 40% stiffer than the previous model. Meaning the new R8 should be a dream in the corners.

Obviously though, Audi couldn’t just keep the horsepower the same — the new car needed more grunt. To do that, Audi turned to the same 5.2-liter V10 from the Lamborghini Huracan, which enabled ludicrous speed to be unlocked in a straight line.

To start production off, there will be two versions of the engine. Beginning with an entry level R8 V10 that has 540 horsepower, this will get to 62 mph in a short 3.5 seconds. Moreover, the ferocious R8 V10 Plus derived from Lamborghini with the full 610 horsepower will hit the same speed in just 3.2 seconds.

What’s most interesting about this new car is that the R8, according to Audi, will form the basis for two other models in the R8 range.

This includes a production version of the R8 e-tron, which is fully electric, delivers 279 miles to a charge, and hits 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds.

Additionally, Audi will introduce a new R8 LMS racecar that will be available to teams based on the car’s new architecture and engine.
The new R8 will officially debut to the public at the official debut next week at the Geneva Motor Show.

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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Watch James Bond and His Fleet of Aston Martin DB10s Take on Rome

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Posted by Tony Markovich

Filming is finally heating up on the set of 007′s new movie Spectre, and James Bond isn’t the only one onlookers are gawking over. A fleet of Bond’s new car, the Aston Martin DB10, was spotted in Rome, and a friend of Marchettino caught the cars roaring to life. Beneath the hood is the same Ford-sourced 4.7-liter V8 that’s found in the V8 Vantage.

Unfortunately for the public, only 10 of these specials will be built, and this model will not be hitting production. The DB10, which sits on the VH Aston platform, is fully drivable and will physically be used in all its action scenes seen in the film, not CGI.

Bond and the DB10 will have their work cut out for them, as they will be going up against supervillain Mr. Hinx, played by Dave Bautista, and the Jaguar’s C-X75 supercar. Those two vehicles will be joined by an assortment of badass customized Range Rover Sports and Land Rover Defenders. Spectre hits theaters on Nov. 6.

Photo Credit: BeyondJamesBond

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The Vulcan Is the 800HP Aston Martin of Your Nightmares

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Posted by Zach Doell

Aston Martin isn’t known for its track-only, special edition cars. Rather, its been quite good at the opposite – hard-charging grand tourers for a twisty backroad. That just changed.

This is the Vulcan. It’s Aston Martin’s all-new 800-plus-horsepower track monster. It’s a traditional Aston Martin in no sense of the word, and 24 lucky people will be able to call one their own. Then again, that joy might quickly flip to terror once they behind the wheel.

Peel back the layers of carbon fiber and underneath lies the Vulcan’s raucous naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V12, an evolution of the company’s venerable 12-cylinder, which chucks out more than 800 ponies and generates a power-to-weight ratio better than that of World Endurance Championship GTE race cars. Not shabby.

Power is funneled to the rear wheels through a magnesium torque tube and carbon fiber prop shaft, and is effectively put to the ground through a trick limited-slip differential. Thankfully, there’s enough stop for all that go. Sticky Brembo brakes teeter on the end of the heady Aston’s pushrod suspension.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to be about as sky-high as its performance, and for that assumedly big number you also gain entrance into Aston Martin’s extensive driver training program for 2016.

Aston racer and Le Mans winner Darren Turner will tutor the 24 lucky drivers in a fleet of Astons – from the V12 Vantage S to the One-77 – before venturing up into the track-only Vulcan.
Stay tuned for more updates.

The Aston Martin Vulcan will debut in the flesh at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 3.

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