Daily Archives: June 23, 2016
Aston Martin Built Vanquish Zagato; Now Sold Out
If you’re one of the very few who were able to get their hands on the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato, then count yourself very lucky. At the same time that Aston Martin announced its plan to build a limited-edition car, the company also said that all units had been sold out.
The Vanquish Zagato concept was first shown at the Villa D’Este concours in Italy last month. Aston Martin said there will only be 99 units built, and that they already have buyers for every last one of them. This, of course, is despite the fact that the price for this car would probably be way up there.
The last Z-badged Aston Martin was the V12 Zagato, which cost more than $500,000 back in 2011. Add to that five years worth of inflation, a lower production run, and the Vanquish’s standard high price, then you’ve got yourself something not mere mortals can afford.
The Vanquish Zagato is based on the modified version of the mechanical package of the Vanquish. It, however, receives a unique carbon-fiber bodywork, as well as a “double bubble” roof. Supposedly, the “double bubble” will allow drivers to wear a helmet while driving the Vanquish Zagato.
Other features of this supercar are the front fenders with venturi-shaped air channels, bladed taillights at the back like the ones found on the Aston One-77 megacar, and a diffuser with quad exhaust pipes.
US buyers will have to content themselves with the V-12 engine similar to the one under the hood of the Vanquish. That means 576 horsepower that powers the Vanquish Zagato to go 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. The rest of the world would get the 600-horsepower version of the Zagato.
Deliveries of the Vanquish Zagato will begin in the first quarter of next year. Of course, we’re only speaking to those who actually ordered it.
The Mercedes-AMG GT R Promises 577BHP
When Mercedes announced that an AMG GT R is coming, experts and car enthusiasts alike were on tenterhooks, wondering just how powerful it could be. Well, time to stop the teasers that Affalterbach tuner has been dropping. We now hear a confirmation of some of the performance specs for this supercar.
The new Mercedes-AMG GT R will have a 577bhp twin-turbo V8 that sat behind its front axle, driving the rear wheels. This is the same engine that has been fitted to the regular GT and sportier GT S.
This makes it 74bhp healthier than the existing AMG GT S, which only gives out 503hp (the GT has an even lower 453hp capacity). It also makes this model the most potent Merc supercar since the SLS AMG Black Series.
The engine also makes it a direct rival to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS that has 500hp while it falls slightly below the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the Nissan GT-R Nismo that offer 650hp and 600hp, respectively.
New to the AMG GT R are the transaxle transmission, a modified undercarriage, a more involved aerodynamic package that comes with big wings, splitters and dive planes, and a carbon-based construction.
There are no details yet as to how “light” the AMG GT R will be. What we do know is that the 577bhp promised will allow the supercar to go 0-62mph in just 3.6 seconds and on to a 198mph top speed.
Merc assures “an extraordinary driving dynamics” that delivers “extreme fast laps” on the racetrack.
We shall all get ready for its debut at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed in United Kingdom. Also something to look out for is the GT-R’s exclusive color called the AMG Green Hell Magno, which can be seen on the teaser shots.
The “Green Hell” is a reference to the Nurburgring where much of the car’s looks were developed.
Volvo Drops Details Of The 2017 V90 R-Design
After four short months since Volvo debuted its V90 at the 2016 Geneva International Auto Show, the automaker is now ready to reveal more details about its 2017 V90 R-Design. Under this performance model, the V90 gains a sportier appearance with a new set of wheels, new front fascia, new radiator grille and new exterior trim elements, according to a source.
There is not much under the hood, but the exterior makes up for it. A few years back, you wouldn’t find sporty and Volvo in the same sentence. That changed in recent years as Volvo is now ready to compete, thanks to its R-Design.
Let’s start on the outside. In addition to the new fascia, grille and the new set of wheels, the overall appearance of the 2017 Volvo V90 R-Design is sleeker, sportier and more sophisticated than we have ever seen Volvo try.
You’ll find the grille, air dam and air inlets all in glossy black finish. This adds a dramatic flair, increasing the appeal of the car’s front. On the rear, there’s a very little change from the regular V90, except for the glossy black insert between the slanted rectangular exhaust outlets.
There’s also the large sunroof panel that will add more spacious feel once you relax on the sporty and contoured seats that are the highlight of the R-Design’s interior. Of course, the upgraded steering wheel adds even more to the inside’s overall appearance.
Made of all black with white contrast stitching, it has a three-spoke design and features the same layout for the side spokes. The lower spoke, on the other hand, sports the “R” badge.
Aside from the steering wheel, the seats are in black leather with white contrast stitching. Volvo removed the wood inserts and replaced them with carbon fiber inserts as well that worked perfectly with the black interior.
Under the hood, it has the same powertrain as the S90 and the XC90. We can expect the turbocharged 254-horsepower T5 or the 316-horsepower T6. But since this is a performance model, it could very well produce 400 horsepower. Imagine that.
McLaren Introduces 570S Sprint To Its Sports Series Range
Has it only been a year since McLaren introduced its first Sports Series model called the 570S? Well, McLaren Sports Series’ entry-level range is now almost ready to compete with the much pricier Super Series with its 570S Sprint.
This year, we’ve seen the debut of the more practical 570GT and the competition-ready 570 GT4 racer. As if those aren’t enough, we are now witnessing McLaren come up with the 570S Sprint, the badge the automaker puts on cars designed strictly for track use but is not as intimidating as proper race cars or the hardcore GTR cars.
For its powertrain, McLaren has fitted the 570S Sprint with the familiar twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8. The automaker said the output was “optimized,” hinting that we could expect more than the 570S’ 562 horsepower.
There are other upgrades, of course, such as the oil and cooling systems designed especially for the track, a wide splitter up front, canards on the bumper, center-locking magnesium wheels show with Pirelli racing slicks, a fixed rear wing, and an available air jack.
Inside, the 570S Sprint boasts of an FIA-spec roll cage and racing seats with harnesses. For safety, there’s also a fire extinguisher system installed.
The 570S will make its formal debut on June 24 at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom. Pricing for that starts at £148,000 or $217,680 at current exchange rate. Deliveries will begin in 2017.
The 570S Sprint is not exactly something you can get off the dealer that quickly. According to reports, the Sprint will come as standard in McLaren Orange, although buyers can get the McLaren Special Operations department to create the same liveries as the Sprint.
If customers want a feel of the racing world, they can have the Sprint upgraded to 570S GT4 racecar. The package will include all requirements of the FIA standards for GT4 competition.
