The chunks of grass and mud flying out from under this Rolls-Royce are almost like fistfuls of money going through a wood chipper. You can see the value going down and it’s awesome.
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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
It’s no secret; Toyota is buddy-buddy with British luxury automaker Aston Martin. The two firms have collaborated before, perhaps most famously the iQ-based Cygnet city car, and the latest gossip indicates is the “capital T” is interested in buying Aston.
Sexier than its coupe sibling, the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster was just unveiled today to confirm what most had already guessed.
While so many other automakers are abandoning big engines in favor of forced induction power, Mercedes is hanging on to its V12 engine as an option for its most discerning customers.
Engines are headed to shed cylinders in all areas of the automotive future. Don’t believe it? Try asking McLaren executive Antony Sheriff.
Spy photos of the DBS-powered Aston Martin Rapide S came our way today, showing a semi-dressed faster version of the British brand’s already-voracious car.
Finally it’s been confirmed — Mercedes-Benz will build a G65 AMG, although the beast of an SUV won’t be coming to the U.S.
While a select few people might be disappointed with that news, it’s really not much of a loss. Owning one will cost €250,000, which translates to about $329,000, though that doesn’t necessarily reflect how much it would cost to buy here.
For that staggering price, you get a twin-turbo V12-powered off-road monster with 603 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque.
Not that it matters particularly because the car won’t be coming to us, but just like the rest of updated G-Class, the majority of updates occur in the cabin with tiny tweaks to the exterior.
Sporting those updates doesn’t detract from the boxy and unmistakably G-Class boxy exterior that looks as at home outside a mansion as on a safari. Even so, it’s hard not to look at the price tag and wonder how many people would spend that much given the competition at that price point.
For example, the same money offers you the choice of almost any ultra high-end brand: Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, not quite Maybach but hey we’re comparing it to a Mercedes.
GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz G-Class
10. BMW 750Li Hybrid: $2,641
Flashy, fast or luxurious cars tend to be expensive. It should come as no surprise then that they’re also among the most expensive cars to insure.
This list, provided by Insure.com shows us the most expensive cars to insure. Whether they’re more likely to get into an accident because of their high-powered engines, more likely to be stolen, or they’re just expensive to make and maintain, these cars cost quite a lot to insure.
How can a hybrid cost so much to insure? When it’s aBMW 750Li Active Hybrid, which has a twin-turbo V8 and starts at $101,000 it’s easy to see why this big BMW lands in 10th place on the list.
Anticipation for the new Ferrari F620, successor to the 599, is mounting again thanks to a new YouTube video offering an early look at the veiled supercar.
If you haven’t been keeping up to speed, no pun intended, with the numbers surrounding this Italian road demon, revel in this: it’s powered by the FF’s 6.3-liter V12, pumping out more than 700 ponies. Though we can’t comment on exactly what the F620 is going to look like, it’s evident that the basic body characteristics will be the same as the 599 it will replace.
Even draped in black cloth meant to mask specific traits, it resembles a sprinter about to launch on a track. To watch some footage of the F620 out cruising click here. The video isn’t particularly inspirational, but it’s better than still photos. You also get to hear a healthy dose of the exhaust note, which is a scintillating experience for any fanboy.
We’ll bring you the full details during our coverage of the 2012 Geneva Auto Show starting March 6. And check out our spy pics below.
GALLERY: 2013 Ferrari F620
With the upcoming launch of the R8 GT Spyder at the Frankfurt auto show, Audi has recently released another video featuring its venerable sports car. The new promo video includes an extensive walk through of the high performance car, showcasing the exterior and interior. We also get to see the car in action on the track, and hear the amazing exhaust note.
Production is limited to only 333 units and the car sheds 187 lbs (compared to the standard Spyder) thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, allowing it to achieve mind blistering acceleration. This Audi is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 317 km/h. The Spyder will be powered by a V12 5.2-liter FSI engine producing 560-hp. The transmission will be an automatic R-Tronic 6-speed. The car will cost a cool € 207 800 or $295 782.52 in USD. Apparently 90 units of the GT Coupe will arrive Stateside, so expect the same number for the Spyder version.
Check out the video after the jump!
This is it for SUV lovers, the piece de resistance. Bentley is working on a design and engineering project to launch a very high-end £150,000 SUV by 2014, according to CEO Wolfgang Durheimer.
Design chief Dirk van Braeckel and engineering boss Uli Eichhorn are spearheading the project with Durheimer to get the SUV ready.
“I have great faith in the SUV market and it’s here to stay” says Durheimer, who counts the launch of the Porsche Cayenne during his tenure at Weissach as “one of my proudest achievements”.
The Bentley SUV will have hallmark styling with luxury wood and leather interior that will place it above the Range Rover in terms of quality. Bentley’s launch will coincidentally overlap with Aston Martin’s Lagonda 4×4. Bentley is unsure of what platform to use but may lean towards utilizing a version of Volkswagen Group’s new MLB setup. Interestingly, Durheimer was a key figure in the early platform enginnering of the MLB while at Porsche.
Durheimer has suggested using a diesel engine for the SUV. The company may lean towards implementing the immense Audi V12 TDi, and Durheimer has suggested that 738 lb-ft of torque is a suitable amount of power. A gasoline powered W12 will also be available for markets where diesels aren’t as popular.
The go-ahead has not been given to start production on the SUV as Bentley is still waiting to hear from the VW Board. However the British automaker is confident that the project will be given the green light.
[Source: Auto Car]
James Martin, famous TV personality and celebrity chef piloted the Ferrari FF during the famous 1.16-mile long Goodwood Festival of Speed uphill race.
In the video, James Martin tears up the hill shifting gears like a mad man. The car seems to be very poised and balanced through the turns. At the end of the two minute long video Mr. Martin goes over the positive aspects of the Ferrari.
The FF is the successor to the 612 Scagliettei, offers a generous amount of cargo room, and has a wagon-like design. Even with its quasi-wagon body-style, the car sports a 6.3-liter V12 engine with 651-hp and 504 lb-ft of torque allowing a 0-62 mph time of just 3.7 seconds.
Check out the video and article after the jump!
The recently released Aston Martin V12 Zagato which was recently spied testing on the Nürburgring, has now been priced.
According to AutoWeek, Aston Martin will only build 150 examples of the V12 Zagato and the car will be priced at £330,000, or nearly $500,000 USD, twice the price of the high-performance DBS. It is also two and a half times the price of a V12 Vantage which the Zagato is based on. Some will think that is too much to pay but Aston will sell every last one of them.
Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Zagato
[Source: AutoBlog]
In this new 2012 Lamborghini Aventador “Quality” promo commercial, the Italian automaker takes the viewer inside the factory to show just how much thought and quality goes into designing and building the brand’s flagship super car.
The three minute in-depth video starts off by showing the designers sketches of the car, then it is transferred to the computer, then carbon fibre and aerodynamics are tested, and finally the engine is built. The different stages of design are thoroughly illustrated in the well filmed commercial. All in all, auto enthusiasts should definitely take a few minutes to check out this fantastic video.
The $379,700 supercar will replace the Murcielago and will be powered by a 700-hp 6.5-liter V12 engine. The Aventador will use a carbon fiber monocoque chasis, will come standard with an AWD system and feature a new 7-speed ISR single-clutch gearbox. The 3,500 lb sportscar will hit 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds.
Gallery: 2012 Lamborghini Aventador
Check out the video after the jump!
Aston Martin is preparing two V12 Zagato Concept vehicles for the 24-hour Nurburgring race this weekend.
The Zegato Concept was designed by Italian coachbuilder Zagato to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the DB4GT Zagato. The Zagato concept made it’s first appearance at the Concorso D’Eleganza at Villa D’Este in May and won the Design for Concepts and Prototypes.
The number 3 race car will be driven in the 24 hour race by Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, the company’s Nürburgring Test Centre Director, Wolfgang Schuhbauer and automotive journalists Horst von Saurma and Matthew Marsh.
The number 5 race car will be driven by One-77 Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, sports car driver Oliver Mathai, automotive journalist Richard Meaden and amateur racer Peter Cate.
Unfortunately, the V12 Zagato will have a very limited production run with the next year, so very few people will get to climb behind the wheel. However, viewers can catch the the Zagato V12 in action this weekend!
Gallery: Aston Martin Zagato V12
The Aston Martin Rapide is partaking in a 24 hours endurance run on June 25 at Spring Mountain Motor Sports Ranch in Nevada. The Rapide will do the run simultaneously with Aston Martin’s participation in the Nürburgring 24-hour race in Europe. Aston Martin hopes to show to the public just how powerful and durable the four door sports coupe is, while raising money for charity.
The Rapide utilizes a hand-built 6.0-liter V12 producing 470-hp mated to a Touchtronic automatic gearbox. The car balances luxury, performance and function perfectly. The four sport seats will hold the occupants in tightly during corners and a 317 liter luggage compartment allows space for golf bags or suitcases.
Julian Jenkins, Vice President and General Manager of Aston Martin North America, said: “Since its launch, the Rapide has been popular with customers looking for an exclusive sports car with a combination of exhilarating performance, handcrafted style, and added four-door practicality. As well as raising money for Heart for Japan, this 24-hour initiative will give us an opportunity to showcase the endurance capabilities of the Rapide which in turn demonstrates its everyday usability and durability.”
Aston Martin is reportedly working on a Rapide S, which will be much faster than the current Rapide, via a heart transplant involving the DBS’s 510-hp engine. The current Rapide is by no means a slow car. Powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 470-hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, the Rapide is capable of 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 188mph.
However the time has come to intoduce a much faster, sportier model. The Rapide S will also feature carbon-ceramic brake discs as standard and firmer suspension settings. The Rapide S will arrive later this year and will definetly feature a nice price bump.
Stay tuned for more info!
[Source: AutoExpress]
Discuss this story at AstonMartinForum.com
Audi is set to abandon its Q7 V12 TDI due to slow sales and rapidly advancing diesel technology in their smaller displacement motors. The current V12 TDI makes 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft, and is widely considered to be one of the most impressive SUVs on the market.
But with Audi’s V6 TDI making a more-than-adequate 313 horsepower (compared to the 4.2L V8s 340 horsepower), Audi is moving to drop both the V12 and V8 TDI motors in favor of the newer, more efficient V6. Mercedes-Benz and BMW abandoned large displacement diesels long ago, so such a move wouldn’t be out of character for Germany’s third luxury brand.
[Source: Car and Driver]
A beautiful fire truck red Aston Martin V12 Zagato made an appearance at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. This gorgeous piece of British engineering revs for just under a minute sounding unbelievabe. The Zagato features a 6.0-liter V12 producing 510-hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. No wonder it sounds so great.
Check out the video after the jump!
[Source: egm Car Tech]
A very rare Lamborghini Diablo GTR is being sold through Symbolic Motors in San Diego, California. Only 30 of these cars were ever built from 1999 to 2000.
Of these 30, only two or three have never seen the track including this one. Only 1,255 kilometers are on the odometer making this car very unique. This 6.0-liter V12 GTR produces 600 horsepower mated to a five speed manual gearbox. The car also features a full roll cage, fire suppression system, pneumatic jacks and a free- flowing exhaust. The dealer is asking $699,999, if you’re interested.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Oh, the humanity! Pagani’s Zonda supercar was one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful cars of all time, but a purported spy shot coming from a Spanish language car magazine shows the Pagani Huayra to be a catfish-mouthed monstrosity, with all manner of gills, bulging headlights and a snout that looks like its perpetually open.
Sure, the car will cost over $1 million, be limited to 20 units per year and produce absolutely blistering performance, but…that face! We just can’t get over it. Lesson to supercar makers – different doesn’t have to be ugly. Just look at the Ferrari FF.
[Source: Autoblog]
With Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmamnn desiring a third vehicle for his company’s product lineup, the Lamborghini Estoque appears to have been given the go-ahead rather than the obvious choice of an SUV.
Although Lamborghini pioneered the exotic SUV segment with its outlandish LM002, the company will forge ahead with the Estoque, after Audi decided to approve its ultra-luxury A9 4-door coupe. The Estoque will hopefully double sales for Lamborghini and increases revenues for the brand, allowing them greater independence from parent companies Audi and Volkswagen. Expect Lamborghini’s V10 and V12 engines, as well as all-wheel-drive, to make an appearance.
[Source: AutoExpress]
The words Rolls-Royce and sporty don’t often go together, but that is about to change… but maybe just slightly.
Rolls-Royce has just announced that for the 2011 model year, the Phantom Drophead Coupe will be getting some upgrades, which will make the car more sporty to drive.
No, the sportiness is not limited to a new color scheme, although new interior and exterior colors have been added to its ever growing options list.
To make the Phantom Drophead Coupe more engaging to drive, Rolls Royce has given it the suspension set-up and transmission calibration previously only seen on the Phantom Coupe.
A thicker steering wheel with a recalibrated power steering unit will give this car a more dynamic feel, although it is hard to imagine a 5,886 lb. land yacht ever feeling sporty.
The 6-speed automatic gearbox now has an “S” mode, which will hold lower gears for longer and also downshift more aggressively under braking. Its 6.75-liter V12 motor remains unchanged, producing the smoothest 453 hp you’ll ever come across.
So if you were holding back on the Phantom Drophead Coupe because it just wasn’t sporty enough for you, maybe now the car will be just right for you. By the way, if you are headed to buy one of these, do take at least $452,000 with you. That price might include your gas guzzler tax and destination charge, but any options will be extra, plus sales tax.
Aston Martin‘s most opulent supercar, the $1.7 million One-77 was spotted doing laps of the Nurburgring recently, and the V12 shriek should be enough to move all 77 units directly to the garages of the UAE.
For whatever reason, 22 units are still unsold, so you can still pick one up even if you’re not royalty. For the rest of you plebes, hit the jump to check out the One-77 lapping the Nurburgring.
[Source: AxisAC]
Hit the jump to watch the video