23 Jan

Sneak Peek: Aston Martin DB11

Details are beginning to emerge of one of this Autumn/Winter 2016’s most anticipated “pieces” – the all-new Aston Martin DB11. Scheduled to steal the show in Geneva in the first week of March, the DB11 is the most significant design yet from Aston’s head of studio, Marek Reichman.

Much like how the previous DB9 ushered in a new generation of cars from Aston’s Gaydon, UK, headquarters, the British carmaker says the DB11 will kick off its “Second Century Plan.” An insider told us that Aston is in the final tuning stages, and as such, the engineering prototype pictured here is likely the closest thing we’ve seen to a final production-spec car. While early mules had moldings and panels, we now have a good sense of the DB11’s proportions, and can clearly see the rear-wheel-drive coupe’s character lines. We can also see an aero-lip intake under the grille that appears to be significantly wider than on the DB9. Beyond being aesthetically pleasing, this is a necessary addition for better cooling.

Aston Martin DB11 Ugo Colombo The Collection

Source: AutoBlog.com

Aston Martin unveiled the DB11s new engine recently, a twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 based on the old cars normally aspirated six-litre V12 and good, one imagines for at least 600bhp (given the opposition). That will also allow Aston to turn up the boost on future Vanquish models to 700bhp. It’s hard to imagine Aston Martin won’t take the opportunity to update the transmission to the very latest eight-speed ZF. There will be other versions of the DB11 — a turbocharged 4.0-litre developed from the V8 in AMG’s GT — but not immediately.

Learn more about the Aston Martin DB11

13 Jan

James Bond Aston Martin for Sale

An Aston Martin DB10 created exclusively for the latest James Bond film, Spectre, will be going to auction at Christie’s King Street auction house in London in February.

James Bond DB10 Auction Ugo Colombo The Collection

Source: Motor Trend

Only 10 units were produced for the film, hand-built by Aston Martin’s team of designers, engineers, and craftsmen. The DB10 up for auction is one of two that was not modified for the film.  Christie’s claims it’s the only DB10 that’s been released for sale to the public and that it includes a plaque signed by Daniel Craig himself.

All proceeds from the DB10 sale will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.

Read more at http://www.motortrend.com/news/aston-martin-to-sell-james-bonds-db10-for-charity/

07 Jan

Meet the 2017 Audi Q7

Ugo Colombo The Collection 2017 Audi Q7

Source: Kelley Blue Book

Audi pulled the wraps off of its new 7-passenger box full of luxury, style and technology in Switzerland. This 2nd-generation Q7 will be a 2017 model when it arrives in the U.S. next January.

All of the standard Q7 features return for 2017: Three rows of seating.  Quattro all-wheel drive Comfort and convenience features like leather seating and a power rear liftgate.  And a panoramic sunroof comes standard.

While many of its crossover peers have been playing catch-up, the 2017 Audi Q7 appears to take on a look that’s even more sport-wagon-influenced than before. It’s a familiar look and profile, but with a somewhat more chiseled look to the details, a more prominent beltline, and a roofline that looks ‘canted back.’ Up front, it gets a brighter take on the single-frame grille, with thick crossbars and a little more sculpting; it connects directly into the headlights. which now have either xenon HID, LED, or matrix LED lighting technology, and the DRLs are arrow-shaped.

Significantly, the new Q7 weighs a lot less than the outgoing model — between 500 and 700 pounds, depending on the model. The bulk of this diet comes thanks to lighter materials used in the outer construction, suspension and powertrain, and weight-saving attention paid to every other inch of the SUV — right down to two pounds saved by using aluminum for the brake pedal.

The exterior is not a wild departure from the current model, but the differences — particularly the LED headlight adornments and less-wide-mouth-bass grille treatment — make the big SUV’s case for bold. And while those outside dimensions are slightly slighter than the current Q7, the interior is notably roomier. The first two rows, in particular, stand out. The third row, generous in headroom and usable in legroom, is a cinch to access via the split second row’s fold-down/tumble-forward mechanism. The second row also slides fore and aft. The 50/50-split 3rd-row seatbacks can be lowered/raised electrically to expand the rear cargo space.

Read more about the 2017 Audi Q7