2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante

You learn quickly the vernacular of the $286,500 2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante.

First, you don’t call the Volante a convertible--it’s a Volante, a cloth-top car that’s reasonably quiet when shut, and because it has a soft lid, one with some useful trunk space that an erstwhile hardtop would’ve vaporized. (Also this is a nominal 2+2, and while not even children would find the backseat space viable there’s room enough in this car for overnight luggage which isn’t the case with many a super-sports GT.)

Second, though it’s equipped with a manual-automatic Touchtronic gearbox (an ordinary six-speed manual is also available), unless you’re stuck in traffic it’s far more pleasurably driven as a paddle shift manual than, say, Audi’s S-tronic, as the shifts are actually smoother when manually called for than in automatic mode. This is because they happen more quickly when under the driver’s control and because you’ve shifted, rather than allowed a computer algorithm to decide when to change gears, you can precisely anticipate when that instant will arrive when the tremendous muscle of the car’s 6.0-liter, 510-hp V-12 will pause, the bootheel of g-forces on your chest will lift for half a heartbeat, and then you’re mashed back into the driver’s seat, resuming the boost-phase mode of the DBS’s haul toward a nearly 200-mph top speed.

Third, should you happen to want to drive the DBS like a sane person, that is to say, calmly and coolly and within the constraints of suburban and even rural constabulary mores—you can do so, even as the V-12 under the hood and the metallic paddles that control the gearbox pretty much beg you to quit forcing the DBS to crawl around town on errands and instead mash the gas and let the car realize its full potential.

Source: Motor Authority

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG wins Golden Steering Wheel Award

The iconic 300SL Gullwing’s spiritual successor, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, won the title of Best Super Sports Car in the 2009 Golden Steering Wheel awards yesterday.

Out of a field of eleven, the SLS AMG triumphed, receiving more than a third of votes from the quarter of a million readers of Bild am Sonntag, Auto Bild and associated publications. No doubt, the styling, gullwing doors and combination of 420kW V8 and rear-wheel-drive had plenty to do with the award, of which Mercedes-Benz has 18 on the shelf.

The SLS AMG’s features include 47:53 front/rear weight distribution, 650Nm, and a top speed of 317km/h – much higher than the current 250km/h limit imposed on MB’s vehicles. Helping its cause is the rear-mounted seven-speed double-clutch transmission, giving the car a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds. Gigantic 390mm carbon-ceramic front and 360mm rear stoppers round out the imposing package.

Australians can expect to see the SLS AMG on our roads late second quarter 2010 with pricing to be around $500,000.

Source: Car Advice

Mavizen TTX02 unveiled at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas

Instead of a V-twin, there's a lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor under that RC8 bodywork. The TTX02 will be built in limited numbers...

The UK-based Mavizen have unveiled the lithium-ion battery-powered TTX02 electric sportbike at the currently ongoing SEMA Show in the US. With chassis, suspension and bodywork from the KTM RC8, the TTX02 is a high-tech piece of work that weighs 110kg dry (without the batteries, which we’re sure are very heavy) and has a top speed of around 210km/h.

The TTX02’s on-board computer runs on the Linux operating system and features Wi-Fi Internet connectivity. No, you wouldn’t want to check your email at 200km/h, but the bike’s computer can easily be hooked on to your laptop and the accompanying software would then allow you to tweak most performance parameters. We suppose Mavizen would also supply firmware updates, which you would be able to download to the bike via that Wi-Fi connection…

Based on the TTXGP winning Agni X01, the TTX02 will be produced in limited numbers and is expected to cost about £25,000 in race-ready condition. Visit the Mavizen website for more details.

Watch the Mavizen TTX02 in action

Renault to produce zero-emissions EV in France

Renault has today confirmed it will be manufacturing its new zero-emission electric car at the Flins plant in the Paris region.

The Zoé Z.E. Concept, first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show is a preview of what the new car will look like.

The Flins plant was chosen to manufacture the electric vehicle (EV) because of its expertise in building B segment cars, one of which is the new Clio.

Renault also like to manufacture cars close to markets they will be sold in, Europe being the main target. The manufacturing of all EV components will mainly come from the Flins plant, this includes making and recycling of batteries.

Flins will start manufacturing an urban versatile model in 2012, and is expected to have two-thirds of sales in Europe.

Renault will concentrate on France for its zero-emission strategy and is developing future EVs. A letter of intent has been signed with Nissan and the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), as well as France’s Strategic Investment Fund (FSI). Focusing on a joint venture in battery research from manufacture to recycling.

Renault is committed to producing a range of zero-emission EV cars that will be affordable starting in 2011.

Source: Car Advice

Caccia Custom Cars Ghepardo - click above image for high-res gallery

Here's what we know: Caccia Custom Cars took a 2002 Chevy Camaro and a 2002 Chevy Corvette and created the Ghepardo. The car uses the Camaro's frame and the Corvette's motor and suspension. The motor is mounted amidships, albeit backwards (note the throttle body). And the House of Kolor paint is called Pagan Gold. Also, you should not confuse this SEMA all-star Ghepardo with the 2006 Bizzarrini Ghepardo concept.

As for this Ghepadro... it's not that bad looking. In fact, the longer we stare at the exterior, the more we like what we see. Obviously we can't get past the gaudy chainmail armor covering up every single vent and opening. And we'd prefer if the five-slot wheels weren't chromed. That said, in profile, it's a nice looking mid-engine coupe and the rear is quite muscular. The front even has a touch of new Lexus, which while sacriligious for a Chevy-on-Chevy mashup like this, ain't bad at all.

The interior, on the other hand, is a house of horrors. Everything is covered over in prison-grade Alcantara or carbon fiber-look fiberglass. Even the fire extinguisher!! Also, we're pretty sure a 15/16" cutting tool isn't the smartest Dremel attachment to use for a show car. In fact, in this Autoblogger's mind, the Ghepardo is now in the running neck-and-neck with the Masonry Vitesse Rose for having the worst interior ever – quite a distinction! Additionally, the Ghepardo fills our minds with the delightful image of Corvette and Camaro fans/owners beating each other to pulps with giant oversized cartoon hammers. Perhaps that's just the food around here talking.

Source : Autoblog

SEMA 2009: HPP Daytona is one big Hot Wheels toy

HPP Daytona - Click above image for high-res gallery

We've been hearing about this car for three days, but we just couldn't find it. Then, just before lunch, one of our intrepid reporters tracked the beast down within the tropical bowels of Las Vegas Convention Center's Central Hall. Behold: the HPP Daytona!

Yes, it's a new Dodge Challenger wearing a Charger Daytona costume, but updated for today's muscle car aficionados. Under the hood sits a standard 5.7-liter HEMI V8, further proving the point that when it comes to the Daytona/Superbird, it's what's on the outside that counts! Luckily for us, HPP did a pretty decent job on the outside.

The nose cone works, and works well. Here comes the hate mail, but this author thinks the nose actually looks better than the original 1969 Charger Daytona's does. Here's a pic for reference. To be fair, the HPP's schnoz is actually much more like a Plymouth Superbird's than the Dodge. The wheels are great, the fake vents on the door are bad, the stance is right... and then we get to the rear wing.

While we're positive that it's the same dimensions as the mondo-sized Daytona/Superbird wing, the new Challenger's trunk is about half the length of the Sixties/Seventies cars. Meaning it looks... not quite right. Also, this Mopar muscle car has grown so much since forty years ago that the car is just screaming for more wing. But we'll still happily take one, as the HPP Daytona was/is totally worth the hunt.

Source : Autoblog

Renault considers withdrawing from F1

Hot on the heels of Wednesday’s announcement that Toyota was withdrawing from Formula One comes new rumours that Renault is also seriously considering leaving the championship before next season. It is believed Toyota’s exit sparked an emergency meeting at Renault to decide the French company’s future in the sport.

Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn refused to speculate on the rumours, telling a press conference:

“You will have to be patient. We will make an announcement on our participation in Formula One before the end of the year.”

Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz are the only other manufacturers left in the series after BMW and Honda succumbed to financial pressures earlier this year.

Tyre supplier Bridgestone also will also disappear from F1 after 2010 as it declined to renew its contract.

Last month Renault announced that Robert Kubica would replace two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso as he heads to Ferrari next season.

There was optimism among senior team members for the challenges of the new year, but now it seems time will tell whether they even begin their 11th season since returning to the sport in 2000.

One way or the other, Renault’s decision will have an enormous impact on the immediate and long-term future of F1, which continues to endure perhaps the most calamitous and controversial year in its history.

Source: Car Advice