The Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate Is A 595-HP Goodbye Present

A new Vanquish will arrive soon, but we'll miss this one.

Limited to just 175 examples, the Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate Coupe and Volante celebrate the final phase of UK brand’s flagship’s lifecycle. And no, Tom Brady wasn't involved with this one. Before its redesigned successor arrives, Aston Martin wisely felt it necessary to create this special edition, perhaps the final model to be powered by the naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 with 595 hp. An eight-speed Tiptronic automatic is standard fare while 3-stage adaptive damping and carbon ceramic brakes round off the package.

Just three exterior color design themes are being offered, all of which include carbon fiber side strakes with rose gold ‘Ultimate’ decals, carbon fiber treadplates, an ‘Ultimate’ sill plaque, and a special stitched quilting seat design with unique embroidery. The first exterior design theme buyers can opt for is a monochrome design with Ultimate Black paintwork with Copper Bronze graphics around the front air intake, side sills and on the rear diffuser. There’s also black exhaust tailpipes, brake calipers, window trims and 5-spoke wheels. The interior is covered in Obsidian Black leather with Chestnut Tan accents.

The second theme features Xenom Grey paint and contrasting Cobalt Blue graphics paired to the same black trim. Yellow brake calipers have been added while Phantom Grey leather upholstery is found inside. Lastly, there’s the White Gold paint with warm Bronze graphics, paired with gloss black and carbon fiber detailing. The interior features that Chestnut Tan leather with Obsidian Black accents. Aston Martin adds that if buyers don’t find any of these themes appealing, they can come up with their own custom exterior and interior packages at no-cost. Pricing begins at 278,995 Euros for the Coupe and 293,995 Euros for the Volante. Order are now being taken for early 2018 deliveries for European buyers only.

1,200-HP Audi RS3 Is The Ultimate EV Conversion

Four electric motors make this converted RS3 as quick as a Ferrari 488 Pista.

With 395 horsepower in a compact form, the Audi RS3 is no slouch. The RS3 LMS racer had to be detuned a little for racing to 350 hp. But this one packs over a thousand. Called the 4ePerformance concept, it's the work of Schaeffler Technologies – one of Audi's racing partners that sponsors its Formula E and DTM teams. But as closely related as it ostensibly is to the RS3 LMS touring car, it's not made to race. Instead it's a technological showpiece.

The concept integrates four of the electric motors that Audi and Schaeffler use in the battery-powered single-seat racing series. Like the ones that powered Lucas di Grassi to the 2016/17 Formula E world championship.

All told, it packs 880 kW, or 1,200 metric horsepower. The only performance stat the company released is a 0-200 km/h (124 mph) sprint that it'll cover in under seven seconds. That puts it on about the same level as the Ferrari 488 Pista, which runs to 62 in the two-second range. The electric motors are connected directly to the wheels, with a gearbox at each axle. That gives it individual torque vectoring for each wheel for superior control, backed up by a 64 kWh battery. It's an impressive piece of kit, to be sure. Shame it stands little chance of ever being put into production – for either road or track. But it just goes to show what's possible in the burgeoning field of electric propulsion.

Aston Martin Steals McLaren's Chief Test Driver To Create Ultimate Hypercar

McLaren's former chief test driver has been appointed by Aston Martin to help develop its radical Valkyrie hypercar.

Aston Martin is enlisting the help of several companies to help develop the Valkyrie into the ultimate hypercar. Red Bull Racing will supply F1 technology to make the Valkyrie a race car for the road. Cosworth is building its 6.5-liter V12 engine, while Rimac is developing its lightweight hybrid battery system. Alcon and Surface Transforms will be supplying lightweight high-performance brake calipers and carbon discs to give the 1130-hp hypercarcar colossal stopping power.

And now the company has gained a potentially vital asset, as McLaren’s former chief test driver Chris Goodwin has now joined Aston Martin to help develop the Valkyrie. Goodwin has worked for McLaren for 21 years as the company’s chief test driver. During his time, he helped develop the P1 hybrid and has also been testing the BP23 and Senna. He also has racing experience including at Le Mans. Appointed as Aston Martin’s Expert High Performance Test Driver, Goodwin’s expertise will no doubt help the British automaker stay ahead of the competition. As well as the Valkyrie, Goodwin will also help develop Aston Martin’s first SUV, the DBX crossover, and RapidE electric car.

He joins Aston's new chief engineer for vehicle dynamics Simone Rizzuto, who was previously responsible for vehicle performance testing and integration at Maserati and Alfa Romeo. “I’m thrilled to have people of Chris and Simone’s calibre join Aston Martin’s already stellar engineering and dynamics team,” said Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. “Their decision is a great endorsement of our future plans, while the skills and experience they bring is second to none. As we enter the next crucial phase in the development of our growing product and powertrain portfolios, they will make an invaluable contribution in shaping an exceptional new family of Aston Martin models."

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Aston Martin And Dom Perignon Team Up To Create The Ultimate Booze Cruiser

Aston Martin isn’t encouraging drinking and driving but it’s easy to mix the message when looking at the Rapide S Dom Pérignon. The speedy four-door was chosen by the champagne company for a promotional road trip through Italy. A handmade champagne cellar was fitted into the trunk. The removable booze crate has three bottles of Dom from 1988 along with two glasses. As far as luxury brand collaborations go, this one is at or near the top of the list.

Could A Used Audi RS Car Be The Ultimate Path To Awesomeness?

Old M cars are rising in prices, but what about Audi RS?

In the US market, Audi Sport, formerly Quattro GmbH, doesn't seem to garner the same hyper as BMW M and Mercedes AMG. Perhaps this is because so few Audi RS models have actually been brought over to the US. Since Audi RS cars aren't as well-remembered as their M and AMG counterparts, they have become great values on the used market. Here are six used Audi RS cars that we'd buy at their current values.

Audi released the RS7 back in 2014, and it was the first time the company sold a mid-size RS car in the US since the RS6 back in 2003 (we sadly missed the twin-turbo V10 model). The RS7 was the sleeker cousin to the RS6 Avant, and was powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 560 horsepower. When it was new, the RS7 has a price of over $105,000, but can now be had starting at around $60,000. Audi quoted 0-60 at 3.5 seconds, but several tests clocked even faster times. The acceleration was so savage, the back end of the car would actually squat down when using launch control.

The RS5 coupe is one of the more recent models on this list. Audi introduced the RS5 in 2013 as a long-awaited replacement for the RS4 (sadly, the RS4 Avant didn't make it alongside the coupe in the US). Unlike the B7 generation RS4, which only came with a manual transmission, the RS5 was dual-clutch only in the US. Audi sold a coupe and a convertible, both of which came with a 4.2-liter V8 pumping out 450 hp. Like the E9X generation M3, the RS5 was a high revving V8, which made an incredible noise. Prices now start at under $30,000, and well-kept examples can be had for around $36,000.

The Audi TT is often criticized for its Volkswagen Golf underpinnings, but the car really shines in its RS trim. Audi unveiled the first TT RS for the 2013 model year, powered by a unique 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder with 360 hp. The US TT RS was manual only, and the car can be made incredibly fast with a tune and a few parts. The TT RS has held its value incredibly well, so prices haven't dropped below $30,000. This means you probably won't lose money in depreciation with the TT RS.

If we had to choose a favorite on this list, it would be the B7 Audi RS4. The RS4 sold for just two model years (2007 and 2008) as a sedan and a convertible. Both were powered by a 4.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp going through a six-speed manual transmission. RS4 prices have been incredibly steady because fewer than 2,000 were imported to the US. High mileage examples start at around $20,000, but nicer examples start around the mid-$30,000 range. If you want the best value, go for the sedan, which is faster and likely more collectible.

Audi introduced the first RS model for the US back in 2003. The RS6 was only sold in the 2003 model year, right as the E39 BMW M5 was leaving production. It was powered by a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 450 hp, which was massive at the time. Starting at around $13,000, the RS6 is by far the cheapest option on this list, but its age and questionable maintenance costs may be enough to scare off most buyers.

The RS2 was the first RS car ever produced back in 1994. It was codeveloped with Porsche, and was powered by a 2.2-liter turbo five-cylinder producing 311 hp going out to a six-speed manual. When it was new, the RS2 was one of the quickest cars in the world, arguably making it the most badass wagon of all time. Only 2,891 were ever produced, and it was never sold in the US. RS2s won't be eligible to import to the US until 2019, but prices have already risen to well above $50,000.

View the original article here

Could A Used Audi RS Car Be The Ultimate Path To Awesomeness?

Old M cars are rising in prices, but what about Audi RS?

In the US market, Audi Sport, formerly Quattro GmbH, doesn't seem to garner the same hyper as BMW M and Mercedes AMG. Perhaps this is because so few Audi RS models have actually been brought over to the US. Since Audi RS cars aren't as well-remembered as their M and AMG counterparts, they have become great values on the used market. Here are six used Audi RS cars that we'd buy at their current values.

Audi released the RS7 back in 2014, and it was the first time the company sold a mid-size RS car in the US since the RS6 back in 2003 (we sadly missed the twin-turbo V10 model). The RS7 was the sleeker cousin to the RS6 Avant, and was powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 560 horsepower. When it was new, the RS7 has a price of over $105,000, but can now be had starting at around $60,000. Audi quoted 0-60 at 3.5 seconds, but several tests clocked even faster times. The acceleration was so savage, the back end of the car would actually squat down when using launch control.

The RS5 coupe is one of the more recent models on this list. Audi introduced the RS5 in 2013 as a long-awaited replacement for the RS4 (sadly, the RS4 Avant didn't make it alongside the coupe in the US). Unlike the B7 generation RS4, which only came with a manual transmission, the RS5 was dual-clutch only in the US. Audi sold a coupe and a convertible, both of which came with a 4.2-liter V8 pumping out 450 hp. Like the E9X generation M3, the RS5 was a high revving V8, which made an incredible noise. Prices now start at under $30,000, and well-kept examples can be had for around $36,000.

The Audi TT is often criticized for its Volkswagen Golf underpinnings, but the car really shines in its RS trim. Audi unveiled the first TT RS for the 2013 model year, powered by a unique 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder with 360 hp. The US TT RS was manual only, and the car can be made incredibly fast with a tune and a few parts. The TT RS has held its value incredibly well, so prices haven't dropped below $30,000. This means you probably won't lose money in depreciation with the TT RS.

If we had to choose a favorite on this list, it would be the B7 Audi RS4. The RS4 sold for just two model years (2007 and 2008) as a sedan and a convertible. Both were powered by a 4.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp going through a six-speed manual transmission. RS4 prices have been incredibly steady because fewer than 2,000 were imported to the US. High mileage examples start at around $20,000, but nicer examples start around the mid-$30,000 range. If you want the best value, go for the sedan, which is faster and likely more collectible.

Audi introduced the first RS model for the US back in 2003. The RS6 was only sold in the 2003 model year, right as the E39 BMW M5 was leaving production. It was powered by a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 450 hp, which was massive at the time. Starting at around $13,000, the RS6 is by far the cheapest option on this list, but its age and questionable maintenance costs may be enough to scare off most buyers.

The RS2 was the first RS car ever produced back in 1994. It was codeveloped with Porsche, and was powered by a 2.2-liter turbo five-cylinder producing 311 hp going out to a six-speed manual. When it was new, the RS2 was one of the quickest cars in the world, arguably making it the most badass wagon of all time. Only 2,891 were ever produced, and it was never sold in the US. RS2s won't be eligible to import to the US until 2019, but prices have already risen to well above $50,000.

The Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate Is A 595-HP Goodbye Present

A new Vanquish will arrive soon, but we'll miss this one.

Limited to just 175 examples, the Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate Coupe and Volante celebrate the final phase of UK brand’s flagship’s lifecycle. And no, Tom Brady wasn't involved with this one. Before its redesigned successor arrives, Aston Martin wisely felt it necessary to create this special edition, perhaps the final model to be powered by the naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V12 with 595 hp. An eight-speed Tiptronic automatic is standard fare while 3-stage adaptive damping and carbon ceramic brakes round off the package.

Just three exterior color design themes are being offered, all of which include carbon fiber side strakes with rose gold ‘Ultimate’ decals, carbon fiber treadplates, an ‘Ultimate’ sill plaque, and a special stitched quilting seat design with unique embroidery. The first exterior design theme buyers can opt for is a monochrome design with Ultimate Black paintwork with Copper Bronze graphics around the front air intake, side sills and on the rear diffuser. There’s also black exhaust tailpipes, brake calipers, window trims and 5-spoke wheels. The interior is covered in Obsidian Black leather with Chestnut Tan accents.

The second theme features Xenom Grey paint and contrasting Cobalt Blue graphics paired to the same black trim. Yellow brake calipers have been added while Phantom Grey leather upholstery is found inside. Lastly, there’s the White Gold paint with warm Bronze graphics, paired with gloss black and carbon fiber detailing. The interior features that Chestnut Tan leather with Obsidian Black accents. Aston Martin adds that if buyers don’t find any of these themes appealing, they can come up with their own custom exterior and interior packages at no-cost. Pricing begins at 278,995 Euros for the Coupe and 293,995 Euros for the Volante. Order are now being taken for early 2018 deliveries for European buyers only.

View the original article here