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The fastest production model ever to be built by Aston Martin made its world debut at the 2004 Paris Motor Show.

With a maximum speed in excess of 200 mph (321 km/h) and a 6.0 liter V12 engine developing 520 horsepower, the Vanquish S has been designed to deliver even greater performance, complemented by subtle suspension and steering changes and a number of interior and external style revisions.

The Vanquish S has received subtle but effective changes to complement its elegant muscular body. The famous Aston Martin grille has a new rounded and more open appearance for better cooling, and an aerodynamic splitter improves high-speed stability.

At the rear, a redesigned boot lid featuring a new high mounted stop lamp reduces lift and improves balance and stability, helping to achieve an impressive Cd figure of 0.32.

These differences on the Vanquish S not only improve the appearance but also enhance performance. All the exterior body panels are constructed from aluminum with each individual panel hand tailored to the central structure to ensure a perfect panel fit. Every carefully detailed feature provides graphic evidence of the painstaking craftsmanship and quality, which is invested in its construction at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell site in Buckinghamshire.

Revised steering geometry provides a 20% quicker response, allowing the driver to apply a reduced input for required steering response. This enables the driver to be more precise with inputs - especially on winding roads - and more accurate feedback from the chassis.

The Sports Dynamics suspension, steering and braking package is now standard on the Vanquish S. This includes stiffer springs and dampers and shorter steering arms.

Further development of Aston Martin’s low emissions, all alloy, quad-overhead camshaft, 48 valve, 6.0-liter V12 engine has generated an increase in power from 460 bhp to 520 bhp at 7000 rpm and torque is boosted to 425 lb-ft at 5800 rpm.

Engine enhancements include new cylinder heads with fully machined inlet ports and combustion chambers to improve airflow, revised engine mapping and new fuel injectors.

The overall interior design is a subtle blend of traditional, classic and modern materials with Bridge of Weir leather upholstery matched to contemporary metal interior fittings and finishes. A number of detailed improvements have been made to the interior of the Vanquish S to enhance the overall appeal.

The luxurious but purposeful two seat or optional 2+2 cabin now features supportive all leather trimmed sports seats with many additional and exquisite detail touches which amply demonstrate the truly special nature of this unique hand crafted sports car.

With the capacity to continue to turn heads, the design of the Vanquish is already established as a modern classic. Since its launch in 2001, the Vanquish has proved to be a huge success for Aston Martin with over 1500 cars built.

Every Audi TT is noted for its clear lines, unmistakable dynamism and the driving characteristics of a sports car. Audi now presents the TT in its most purist form: the Clubsport quattro study.

The Audi TT Clubsport quattro study reduces the TT Roadster to a pure driving machine. A powerful engine, state-of-the-art technology and numerous traits borrowed from the world of motorsport are the dominant features of the TT Clubsport quattro.

Purism at a Premium Level

The goal that the development engineers set themselves for this vehicle study was to achieve purism at a premium level. No hood, no A-post – instead, a wraparound windscreen kept extremely low which deliberately evokes images of a speedster. The flat, slightly tinted window strip surrounds the cockpit. The panoramic windscreen and the two humps located behind the interior in place of the hood compartment are reminiscent of a racing car. The rollover bars familiar from the TT Roadster are kept flatter and are the same height as the sports bucket seats.

The front end is dominated by the single-frame grille which has aluminum inserts to give its design a horizontal emphasis. This makes the TT Clubsport quattro appear even flatter than it already is. The four rings of the logo are not located in the grille as on most Audi models, but on the bonnet. The large air inlets in the front end supply additional air to the more potent TFSI engine. LED daytime running lights provide an eye-catching highlight at all times of day. The visible stainless steel rear silencer is the striking feature in the rear bumper, while the blade under the rear silencer visibly underscores the vehicle’s sports character. The dual-branch exhaust system with its oval tailpipes calls to mind the sporty Audi production models such as the RS 4.

There is a deliberate lack of visual interruptions in the side line and you will look in vain for door handles. The TT Clubsport quattro is opened by remote control: the doors spring open at the press of a button. The size of the two exterior mirrors has also been minimized. 20-inch wheels with tires of size 265/30 R20 emphasize the car’s muscular appearance, as does its track width which has been increased by a total of 80 millimeters compared with a production TT. Not only that, but the wheel arches have also been enlarged additionally.

Interior with Racing Pedigree


The sports character demonstrated by the exterior design is continued inside the car, where purism was also the driving element. Racing bucket seats are provided for both occupants. Together with four-point belts that are three inches wide, these offer both driver and passenger excellent support, even in extreme driving situations – on the racetrack, for example. The generous use of aluminum is characteristic of Audi. This starts with the steering wheel which is adorned with a twin spoke crafted from this lightweight metal. The pedals are also made of aluminum and exhibit a grooved structure. They consequently not only afford a better grip, but also help to save weight. Foot rests are provided for both driver and passenger in the TT Clubsport quattro.

The gear lever gate adopted from the new mid-engined sports car, the Audi R8, and the aluminum gear knob are a joy to behold. This lightweight metal is also used for the door pull and the door opener, both of which are cut-out, a feature which further underlines the interior’s purist character.

The Audi designers came up with a special idea in the field of entertainment. Instead of the middle of the three round air vents in the upper part of the dashboard, they integrated an interface here, designed among other things for the B&O MP3 player BeoSound 2. The round player built by Audi’s premium partner fits exactly into the circular opening and is a sheer delight for the senses, both visually and acoustically.

More Muscle

The racing character of the Audi TT Clubsport quattro is underscored by its technology. The Audi engineers have packed the 2.0 TFSI engine with even more power than the 260 bhp familiar from the Audi S3. The turbocharged four-cylinder unit with petrol direct injection breaks the magic 300 bhp barrier. Thanks to a modified intake manifold, it has been possible to get even more power out of this highly efficient engine (which was “Engine of the Year” in its class in 2005 and 2006). Power is transferred to all four wheels, making the TT Clubsport quattro the first new-generation TT with four-cylinder engine and quattro permanent four-wheel drive.

Ceramic brakes are fitted in the TT for the first time. These are absolutely non-fading and enable countless sharp braking manoeuvres without any loss of stopping power.

The Audi TT Clubsport quattro is a purist driving machine that combines the performance of a sports car with a unique design language. It consequently remains a TT on the one hand, while at the same time demonstrating just what is possible with such a fascinating production vehicle. The possible small-series production of this model is being considered.

Aston Martin will unveil one of the most eagerly anticipated cars of the year when the new DBS is revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16th, where the company takes a starring role as the featured marque. Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, said: “The DBS is the ultimate expression of Aston Martin’s engineering and technical ability. It offers pure performance without compromise. “The DBS delivers the complete driving experience and bridges the gap between our road and track cars – the DB9 and DBR9.”

Equally at home on a twisting mountain circuit as on the open road, the DBS is a true thoroughbred. The Aston Martin DBS is a 6.0-liter V12 powered, race-bred, two-seater shaped by the aerodynamic demands of high performance, with an exquisite interior that marries beautifully hand-finished materials with the very latest in performance technology.

A combination of elegant design, innovative manufacturing processes, race-derived materials and components and Aston Martin’s unrivalled hand-build expertise makes the DBS a luxury sports car without equal. Every line, crease and curve conveys the enormous potential of the DBS, a seductive blend of refinement and raw power, provided by the hand-built V12 producing 510 bhp, a top speed of 191 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds.

Performance

The need for high-performance stability, handling ability and low kerb weight defined the DBS’s form and construction. Accordingly, the DBS becomes the first production Aston Martin to make extensive use of ultra-light carbon-fiber body panels. High levels of performance and control are delivered by the combination of inherent light weight, near-perfect weight distribution, a supremely powerful and flexible V12 engine, and a performance-honed six-speed transmission, together with new carbon ceramic brakes and an adaptive damper controlled suspension system.

At the heart of the DBS is a 6.0-liter V12 engine. As with all current Aston Martins, it is hand-assembled at Aston Martin’s dedicated engine facility in Cologne, Germany. The classic 6.0-liter V12 features a number of power-increasing enhancements. These include a ‘by-pass’ engine air intake port that opens above 5500 rpm to allow more air into the engine, and re-profiled air inlet ports that further improve airflow into the combustion chamber. Combined with a compression ratio of 10.9:1, the result of these enhancements is prodigious power and torque: the DBS delivers 510 bhp at 6500 rpm. The 3.71:1 final-drive ratio ensures that the additional power is usable, enhancing in-gear acceleration in particular.

Design

The DBS is manufactured using the finest materials, with a combination of hand-finishing and pioneering high-technology processes. From the exceptional quality of the design and finish to the advanced production techniques employed to save weight and create strength, the DBS is both a technological masterpiece and a powerful visual and tactile experience, inside and out.

The external detailing reflects the power and dynamic abilities of the DBS, with revised inlets and enlarged grilles that deliver more air into the engine and increase its cooling capacity. Subtle design details include a new five-bar design for the polished alloy main grille, as well as two additional vents in the enlarged power bulge on the carbon-fiber bonnet. These vents are entirely functional, improving engine performance and efficiency, yet also communicating the increased power output of the uprated V12 engine.

The DBS’s aerodynamic enhancements are shaped by Aston Martin’s racing experience. A carbon-fiber splitter and a new front bumper design help channel airflow around the car’s wider bodywork. The aerodynamics team worked hand in hand with the modeling team to ensure that the forms and surfaces of DBS were sculpted for inherent stability at high speeds.

Interior

The interior of the DBS represents the epitome of Aston Martin’s commitment to using materials honestly, without disguise or embellishment. Lightweight materials are used throughout to save weight; door pulls are made from carbon-fiber, for example, and the carpet has been woven with lighter fibers to save weight. Special semi-aniline leather is used throughout the cabin, saving weight as well as giving a soft feel and distinctive aroma.

As an option the DBS may be equipped with specially developed lightweight seats (outside North America). These feature a carbon-fiber and Kevlar composite structure and are manufactured by a supplier to the motorsport and aviation industries before being returned to Aston Martin’s Gaydon factory for hand-trimming. The structure is created by sandwiching a layer of Kevlar between two layers of carbon-fiber with the outer finish left exposed on the seat backs, lacquered to create a durable and attractive finish.

The start sequence of the DBS is augmented by an all-new centre console design with a cast metal surround, crisp typography and new graphics. The new console has a traditional dial-face clock at the centre, flanked by two rotary controls for the heating and air-conditioning system, fashioned from solid, turned aluminum.

Deliveries of the DBS are expected to commence during quarter one 2008, with prices to be confirmed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

British Supercar manufacturer, Ascari has produced the answer to the Ferrari Enzo FXX, but for keeps!

Whereas the Enzo FXX is not road legal, it was produced to be driven during track days only and costs over $1,700,000, the A10 is road legal so can be driven home and parked on your drive, to the envy of your neighbors for just $650,000.

Designed, engineered and hand built in Banbury, England the A10 has 625 bhp and weighs in at around 2645 lbs, thanks to its lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork. Reaching 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and 100 mph in less than 6 seconds, the manufacturer claims the A10 is the fastest road going production car around a race track.

Only 10 are available and will be built to order.

The A10 is more than just a revamped KZ1, which has found success in its first year of competing in the GT3 in 2006. It has new body panels, a reworked engine and suspension, with extensive brake modifications to cope with the extra power. Lucky owners will also benefit, if they wish, from some luxuries such as remote central locking, electric windows and door mirrors, climate control and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm system.

Japanese Tuner Premier4509 presents us the result of British engineering with a touch of Japanese extravagance in the form of a wide body kit for the Bentley Continental GT

The kit consists of a front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, front fenders and rear quarter panels which increase the overall width by 4 inches, each part is hand crafted from a lightweight mix of carbon fibre and fibreglass reinforced plastic. Premier4509 have also constructed a new 4 piece bumper grill and new exhaust tips.

“The purpose of this design exercise was to enhance the cars aggressive nature while at the same time keeping a refined look that matched with the original body lines,” said Mr. Yokomaku, Company president.

The Continental GT widebody package will be limited to 100 units and each kit gets its own numbered serial plate.

Loder1899, one of Germany's top tuners when it comes to Ford cars and stable mates, has worked their magic on the recently facelifted Ford Focus. Loder1899 developed a new sportier body kit, staying true to Ford's new slogan: The new Ford Focus is music for the eyes.

The sporty new body kit consists of a new front spoiler, rear diffuser and roof spoiler and is complemented by 17 to 20 inch alloys, pictured are 9x20 inch W1 alloy wheels in special edition black 'polished glam' finish. Besides the faster look, Loder1899 also provides a new engine management kit, providing the hatchback with and additional 30 hp and now peaks at 165 hp at 4,200 rpm. The new Focus is also lowered by 35mm thanks to a new sports suspension.

The entire kit costs just over Euro 5,000 (excluding assembly and painting).