Aston Martin Cygnet confirmed for production

Aston Martin confirms that the Cygnet luxury city car -- originally shown as a concept car in March - is to go into production in 2011 at the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire. the Cygnet is based on the Toyota iQ city car but is given signature styling cues such as the gaping front grille, and alloy wheels, plus a high-luxury interior with details that match the automaker’s supercar range. The luxury city car is scheduled for production with sales to start in 2011, pricing and specification will be announced later this year, but it is likely that the Cygnet will only be sold to existing Aston customers.

The Aston Martin Cygnet will be powered by a 1.3 liter engine delivering a total of 97-hp with a top speed of 105 mph. An electric-only version with a 60-mile range will arrive in 2013.




Press Release

Aston Martin Cygnet Confirmed for ProductionInnovation, Luxury and Individuality

• Aston Martin Cygnet to become a production reality in 2011
• Designed and built at Aston Martin's Gaydon headquarters
• An Aston Martin tailor fit solution for the city offering luxury and individuality

Gaydon, 11 October 2010 - Aston Martin is pleased to confirm that the Cygnet luxury city car - originally shown as a concept car in March - is to go into production in 2011 at the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire.

The Aston Martin Cygnet is a city car that sets a new benchmark for compact luxury, building upon nearly a century of experience building high performance sports cars, luxurious long-range grand tourers, and extremely competitive racing machines.

Cygnet demonstrates Aston Martin's commitment to innovation and integrity.
"It is time to think differently. Aston Martin is honest and we don't make compromises" says Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.

"Whatever we do, we do right. If we do performance, we do performance; we don't downsize or compromise our sports cars. The Cygnet needs to satisfy the demands of emissions and space. It is a car without compromise, just like every other Aston Martin.

"Our customers need a small car for urban and city use, and they want the right tools for the right job, to downsize creatively without compromising intelligence, artistry and personality."

Cygnet expresses a simple but fundamental idea: in the modern city, scale equates to speed and freedom. At just three metres long, the Cygnet gives the driver a new dimension of freedom, able to slot into gaps in traffic, exploit the smallest parking spaces, consume the least fuel and emit the lowest emissions, all while delivering exceptional levels of quality and comfort.

"Cygnet is small but luxurious, an Aston Martin tailor fit for the city," says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Director of Design. With an almost unlimited palette of materials, colours and textures, each hand-finished Cygnet will be truly unique, a personalised space within the city. "Luxury is not constrained by scale."

Cygnet is a product of Aston Martin's unrivalled experience in craft, technology and design. The future city will present a very different luxury brand landscape, as social change and legislation increases the division between urban and anti-urban product categories. With the Cygnet, Aston Martin will be at the forefront of these changes, ensuring the company's enduring brand image will continue to prosper in new market conditions.

Dr Ulrich Bez continues: "The Cygnet is designed to support our sports cars by providing a greater degree of freedom in the urban context; it is a very special car, a premium but compact package with heart, soul and personality."

The Cygnet, a tailor fit solution for the city, will help drive Aston Martin into the future. "This car is reality; Cygnet is the natural choice for those who want a premium, bespoke commuter car."

Further details on the Aston Martin Cygnet including pricing and specification will be announced later this year. The Cygnet will be the eighth major production car Aston Martin has introduced at its state-of-the art factory since 2004, offering further evidence of the company's ongoing commitment to British manufacturing, backed-up by a dedicated local workforce and supplier network.

READ MORE - Aston Martin Cygnet confirmed for production

Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva by Fenice Milano

The Italian tuner Fenice Milano has releases their new limited Diva program for the Rolls-Royce Ghost.The program includes changes regarding the looks of the vehicle, but also the performance increased up to 570hp using an ECU upgrade. It will give the vehicle the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in only 4,9 seconds. Other technical improvements are the suspensions adjustment and the optimization of the exhaust and suction system.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva powered by a 6.6 liter twin-turbo V12 engine that delivers 563bhp and 780 NM of torque (most powerful car that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has ever produced). This power is enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and to hit a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.

Their program is called "Diva" and will be available in three colors: navy, bronze, and white (with 24k gold flakes). The interior will get biscuit leather and 24k gold throughout, optional Alcantara inserts for the more ergonomically-designed seats, and wood trim.

Inside, the car gets biscuit leather and 24k gold throughout, optional Alcantara inserts for the more ergonomically-designed seats, and wood trim that is supposedly limited to teak or grey oak.

In the performance department, FM adds a revised ECU, a sportier suspension, and an optimized exhaust. Sadly, because they're not golden, the company declined to provide additional information.




Press Release

'DIVA' FENICE MILANO: ELEGANCE AND RACINESS FOR A CAR WITH A STRONG PERSONALITY

Everlasting synonym of class, elegance and perfect English style, Rolls Royce has become through the years the brand of celebrities and of all major international politicians.


In 2009, to meet the market's modern request, the renowned English manufacturer launched the Ghost model. The 'baby' Rolls (it is only 540 cm long) has a less formal look compared to her bigger sisters, but it doesn't abandon the typical pride of the flagships boasted with the 'Spirit of Ecstasy', the famous little statue on the front. Moreover its sporty character is supported by the 12V engine 570 Hp that make of her the more powerful Rolls ever built, able to accelerate from 0 to 100 Km/h in only 4,9 seconds.


The 'Diva' by Fenice Milano is based on this jewel produced in a limited quantity. Thanks to an important internal and external restyling, the 'Diva' adds a touch of Italian elegance and style, together with technical and performance improvements, able to make this car a true masterpiece with a strong personality.


To begin with the exterior, 'Diva' is proposed in three elegant versions with a bi?colour livery: from the classic blue navy, to the delicious bronze and the luxury limited edition white golden pearlescent varnishing that includes particles in 24K gold. For the navy?blue version, the bonnet and
fender are in white golden pearlescent varnishing and chromed frontal grid; while for the white version the bonnet, fender and grid are in 24K gold. For the bronze version, instead, three
combinations are available: bonnet, fender and grid in 24K gold, or bonnet and fender in white golden pearlescent varnishing and grid in 24K gold or chromed bronze grid.


Inside the console design has been maintained, but a few enhancements are provided, which due to the use of fine materials, make 'Diva' the most exclusive car available on the market. The dashboard and the passenger compartment are in biscuit?coloured leather and wood (teak or grey oak) and include white or bronze Alcantara profiles and inserts in 24K gold, whose outlines have been hand shaped by Fenice Milano's artisans. The wheel, redesigned starting from the original one, has the crown covered in biscuit?coloured leather ant the central part in 24K gold and wood (teak or grey oak). Also the seats take inspiration from the original ones, but are redesigned following ergonomic principles and realized in white combined with biscuit?coloured pure leather (alternatively a version with biscuit?coloured pure leather coupled with bronze Alcantara seats is available), and like in the original car the picnic tables and the integrated minibar with glass holders have been maintained and realized in 24K gold.


As it happens for all Fenice Milano's project, also for 'Diva' the aesthetic embellishments are coupled with
technical interventions, able to improve the performances of the base model. The ECU upgrade, the suspensions adjustment and the optimization of the exhaust and suction system guarantee in fact notably superior performances and even more comfort onboard.

READ MORE - Rolls-Royce Ghost Diva by Fenice Milano

Ford to launch facelifted Mondeo until global Mondeo

Ford is reportedly preparing to launch a subtle facelift for its European-market Mondeo sedan, but according to reports, this will be the last Mondeo revision before the new model – Ford's third new global product – hits the streets in 2014.

The interim Mondeo, pictured in the leaked photo on the right, will receive some minor adjustments to its appearance and specifications in an effort to keep it fresh, like the new Galaxy and S-Max minivans, until the new model arrives.

The next-gen Mondeo, however, will join the Fiesta and the new Focus as Ford's third new global car, replacing the Mondeo overseas and the Fusion in the North American market. According to reports, the new Mondeo/Fusion is being developed in the United States for expected simultaneous manufacturing – with few adjustments to local tastes – in the U.S., Europe and China.

READ MORE - Ford to launch facelifted Mondeo until global Mondeo

Mitsubishi ASX to Debut at Geneva - European

Mitsubishi will be debuting its new crossover, the ASX, at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The ASX is the European version of the Japanese market RVR. It is a 5-seat, compact crossover, about 4.3 meters long, and is slotted below the Outlander in the Mitsubishi lineup.

Mitsubishi hasn't released many details on the model. It will come with a 1.8 liter turbocharged, direct-injection petrol/gasoline engine coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission, but they don't specify power outputs. The concept upon which the ASX is based, the Concept-cX, featured a diesel, but there is no mention of an oil-burner for the European market in the very brief press release. That concept car was also an all-wheel drive but there's no news either on whether this crossover will have that feature too.

The RVR will go on sale in Japan next month. The ASX will be rolled out in European markets in the spring, following its introduction in Geneva. We will have to wait until then for more details.

READ MORE - Mitsubishi ASX to Debut at Geneva - European

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 620 YarroW

Here's another variation on the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. This one, called the YarroW, is from German tuner Wheelsandmore.

First up, power on this Lambo is amped up to 620 hp and 580 lb-ft of torque (785 Nm). Wheelsandmore achieves this increase by means of ECU tampering, a carbon airbox and a stainless steel exhaust system with valve control.

The YarroW also comes with a beefed-up brake system to match those extra horses. 8-piston calipers are fitted at the front and 6-piston ones for the rear wheels, with 14.96 and 14.17-inch discs at front and back, respectively.

20-inch wheels are also part of the tuning kit, wrapped in 235/30/20 Dunlop Sport Maxx tires at the front (for the 8.5 x 20" rims) and 305/25/20 at the back (11.5 x 20"). The 3-piece forged rims are lightweight and come in various color and surface configurations.

The suspension gets a special coilover installed that goes up to 1.77 inches by hydraulic lift.

Carbon parts added to the exterior include a rear diffuser, frontflap and side mirrors. Carbon finish is also part of the interior redecorating.

Prices?

Engine tuning: 12,500 euros.

Brake kit: 13,998 euros.

Suspension: 8,999 euros.

Wheels: 11,400 euros.

READ MORE - Lamborghini Gallardo LP 620 YarroW

New 2010 Renault Samsung SM5 Launches

The 2010 SM5 eventually could be rebadged for Europe, where it may replace the Renault Laguna. The smaller Renault Samsung SM3 shares its underpinnings with the Renault Mégane and its sheet metal with the Renault Fluence, while the upcoming replacement for the flagship SM7 may be rebadged in Europe as the next-generation Renault Safrane.


The SM5 is based on the current-generation Renault Laguna and features Nissan's 2.0-litre petrol engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. A turbo diesel option will also be available.


The third-generation SM5 has been in development since 2006. Renault Samsung has spent nearly $350 million to bring the new car to market, where it will compete with the recently redesigned Hyundai Sonata.


The new SM5 comes with a variety of high-tech features and options, including a body kit, a navigation system, adaptive headlamps and massaging seats.


Speculation is that it will cost less than fellow competing Koreans from Hyundai and Kia.
via:insideline

READ MORE - New 2010 Renault Samsung SM5 Launches

Vandenbrink unveiled new design sketches - Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX

The new Ecurie GTX is a true racer with its slick tyres, a big wing on the back producing loads of down force and the enormeous diffuser at the front and the back. We haven’t received any information at this stage regarding this model, no official specifications nor any information on the availability.


The designers at Dutch firm Vandenbrink Design have released new drawings showing their latest proposal: the Vandenbrink Design Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX. The car builds on the Vandenbrink GTO, a lightweight model limited to just five production units.
more detail

READ MORE - Vandenbrink unveiled new design sketches - Ferrari 599 GTO Ecurie GTX