Audi R8 V10 Plus Competition Sharpens Up In Limited Numbers

Ingolstadt will only send ten of these to America – with a hefty premium.

With ten cylinders in a mid-engined chassis, the Audi R8 hardly lacks for appeal. But Ingolstadt has made its flagship supercar that much more tempting with the introduction of a new Competition package. The catch is that it'll only be available in strictly limited quantities.

Available for the R8 V10 Plus coupe, the new Competition package adds an array of racier equipment inside, out, and under the skin to turn the German supercar into an even more focused driving tool. That starts with the carbon-fiber aero kit, with its big rear wing, rear diffuser, front splitter, side skirts, and aero flicks.

That's not all, though. The special edition also benefits from a three-way adjustable coilover suspension, fitted to 20-inch matte-black wheels styled like the GT4 racing version's and packing upgraded brake pads. It also benefits from a dynamic steering rack, and only comes in Suzuka Gray, with blacked-out trim for the grilles and air vents. Inside it comes with full leather, racing shells in black with red contrast stitching, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with red center mark at 12 o'clock, and a 13-speaker/550-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Like what you see? Better act fast, because Audi will only bring ten examples to the United States.

Each of them will sell (if they haven't already) for $237,350 – plus a $1,250 destination charge and $1,300 gas guzzler charge for an all-in sticker of $239,900. That's a good hundred grand more than the base rear-drive R8 V10 RWS, over seventy grand more than the all-wheel-drive R8 V10, and forty grand more than the R8 V10 Plus on which it's based.

But for what it's worth, a limited edition like this one is bound to hold its value better than more readily available versions of the same – not to mention the added enjoyment of a more focused supercar.

Porsche Reveals Limited Edition Watch For New 911

The Timeless Machine edition is limited to just 911 examples.

Maybe the connection between cars and watches seems natural to you. Maybe it doesn't. But push come to shove, many of those buying high-end sports cars expect to have the timepiece to go with their new wheels. And Porsche is only too happy to oblige.

In fact the automaker's product-design branch has already come out with a new watch to go with the eighth-generation 911 that just debuted at the 2018 LA Auto Show. It's called the Porsche Design 911 Chronograph Timeless Machine Limited Edition, and it looks almost as slick as the sports car it's made to accompany.

Drawing on nearly half a decade of expertise in crafting wristwatches, the Timeless Machine borrows its structural case from Porsche Design's 1919 timepiece, crafted from hypoallergenic titanium. In between the sapphire crystal face and case-back sits an ETA Valjoux 7750 mechanical chronograph movement with Porsche Design rotor. It features a low-profile bezel with a black face (adorned by the silhouette of the new sports car), white hands, red sweeping second hand, and lap-timing sub-dials. And it's all affixed to the wrist with a strap made of the same leather used inside the new 911.

The firm founded by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the original 911, will only make a highly symbolic 911 examples of the Timeless Machine edition. It'll be available (while those quantities last from Porsche automobile dealers and Porsche Design boutiques) for an equally symbolic retail price of €4,911 (or about $5,600 at current exchange rates). If that strikes you as a little too rich for your blood, chances are you won't be shelling out $113,300 for a new Carrera S (let alone $120,600 for the Carrera 4S), but Porsche Design offers a less expensive 1919 Datetimer for €2,950 (~$3,350).

View the original article here

Limited Edition Aston Martin DBS 59 Celebrates Legendary Le Mans Victory

The car pays tribute to the legendary Aston Martin DBR1 racer that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959.

Aston Martin is honoring the legacy of the iconic DBR1 race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 with the launch of a new special edition DBS Superleggera developed by the automaker’s Q personalization division. Commissioned by Aston Martin Cambridge, the Aston Martin DBS 59 features several unique design cues inspired by the DBR1 such as the gleaming Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork. There’s also extensive use of gloss finish carbon fiber on the roof, roof strake, and painted hood louvres, while bronze accents adorn the grille, spoiler and wheels.

The retro theme continues inside with a mix of Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan leather used throughout the interior, and the seat backs and door inserts are trimmed with fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material. Elsewhere, Aston Martin’s Q division has added bespoke Saddle Leather Helmet Pods in the rear compartment to hold special ‘DBS 59’ crash helmets, race suits and gloves, and a bespoke ‘DBS 59’ logo embroidered in the seat headrests.

Buyers will receive a two-piece luggage set which matches the interior, while an Aston Martin Racing Green car cover is also included featuring a white roundel with the car’s production number.

“When Aston Martin Cambridge expressed a desire to create a limited run of DBS Superleggeras inspired by the DBR1’s famous Le Mans victory we knew it had to be something special,” said Aston Martin Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Sproule.

“The soft metallic hue of the Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork is classy and timelessly beautiful; the level of thought and detailing is exceptional. My favorite element on the ‘DBS 59’ are the seat backs that feature fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material, but there are countless touches that will intrigue and delight”.

Like the standard DBS Superleggera, the DBS 59 is powered by a 5.2-liter V12 engine that produces 715 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 0-62 mph takes 3.4 seconds before the car hits a top speed of 211 mph.

The Aston Martin DBS 59 will be available to order from the Aston Martin Cambridge dealership, which is currently taking orders. Only 24 examples are being produced, each representing one hour of the endurance race the DBR1 competed in nearly 50 years ago.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage V600 Is A Limited Run Purist Supercar

Naturally aspirated V12? Check. Six-speed manual? Oh yeah.

Although an all-new Aston Martin V8 Vantage now exists, there’s no V12 Vantage replacement, at least not yet. Partly because of this lineup void, Aston Martin’s bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin, fulfilled a customer commission to build one final V12 Vantage. That customer ultimately agreed to allow 14 examples to be built. Based on previous generation-based V12 Vantage, the V12 Vantage produces a total of 600 hp, courtesy of its naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 engine, mated solely to a six-speed manual.

It’s about as analog as one can get these days, a combination that won’t be around much longer. Called the “Triple V”, a total of seven coupes and seven roadsters will be built. Aston Martin claims this is the “ultimate analog Vantage.” The engine has been slightly upgraded, but the most noticeable alterations are in the styling department. For starters, there’s a full carbon fiber exterior. It’s also worth noting the V12 V600 is influenced by the original V8 Vantage V600 from 1998. Therefore, the new car features a re-imagined side-strake and a bulging hood to create an overall more aggressive look. The darkened front grille offers maximum air and cooling, which is obviously vital for a V12.

Out back there’s a new carbon fiber diffuser and a quad exhaust system. The final exterior upgrades include a set of bespoke forged and machined aluminum wheels. Step inside and you’ll find an abundance of even more carbon fiber along with dark anodized aluminum bits. Even the center console is made solely of carbon fiber. The seats are lightweight and even have a new perforation pattern. Lastly, there’s a hand-crafted saddle leather center armrest. Official pricing has not been announced, but clearly the V12 Vantage V600 is for seriously and wealthy collectors only. Aston Martin says deliveries will begin for the select few buyers later this year.

View the original article here