Tag Archives: UK
New Aston Martin SUV To Start Production Next Year
Aston Martin confirmed that its first SUV will enter production in late 2019 after the completion of its new St. Athan plant in South Wales in the United Kingdom. The British automaker, however, has not released any specifications for the new car.
The company’s board of directors already held a meeting at the new plant, which includes three converted former-Ministry of Defense hangars. The facility will be completed before the production of the SUV in 2019.
Media reports said that the brand’s first SUV will be called Varekai. The SUV will be based on the DBX concept that was presented in Pebble Beach, California in 2015.
Aston Martin is expected to fit the gasoline version of the SUV with its V12 engine, though upgrades might be made since the company plans to compete with the 650-horsepower Lamborghini Urus via a hybrid powertrain.
To do that, the brand will use a Mercedes-AMG four-liter V8 twin-turbo engine that pairs with an electric motor of 200 horsepower. The engines will combine for a total of 700 horsepower. If this happens, the “Varekai” will be the world’s most powerful SUV.
Aston Martin must have tricks up its sleeves if it wants to compete in the high-end SUV market. Competition is increasingly fierce in the industry as Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Uris, and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan have already made their mark in the segment. Ferrari, of course, is another one to watch out for as it plans to roll out its first SUV soon.
This is not the only SUV that Aston Martin plans to produce. Another one is in the pipeline; this time, for its premium Lagonda brand. The Lagonda SUV is expected by 2021 at the earliest. Based on the Lagonda Vision Concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2018, the SUV will be a semi-autonomous vehicle.
3 Important Things To Know About The All-New BMW 8 Series Coupe
Finally, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class will have a tough competition ahead. The all-new BMW 8 Series coupe is expected to be released in the UK in November this year.
Exterior
The BMW 8 Series is a sporty vehicle, but it has a flatter nose than what was shown in the concept car and the grilles are also smaller. The fender vents and the corner air intakes, which we expect to be a little more on the aggressive side, have been toned down, design-wise.
Moving to the side, the side skirts are more aggressive but it doesn’t scream sports car to us. The mirrors and the headlights are bigger, but the taillights lost the 3D effect we have come to expect.
On the rear end, the new fascia contributed to that aggressive styling. Other notable changes are the revised license plates recess, the more attractive diffuser-like element, and the rectangular exhaust outlets.
Interior
The cabin is as sporty as it can get. The tri-color design adds a touch of elegance to an already stunning BMW 8 Series. The instrument cluster is not the same as the one in the concept, seeing as it has more buttons than necessary. The seat design looks comfortable and will give the Mercedes a run for its money.
The BMW 8 Series uses a pair of digital displays to dominate its interior. The instrument cluster is 12.3 inches while the infotainment display that hovers over the center stack is 10.25 inches. The coupe comes standard with cruise control (with braking function), Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking, Head-Up display to go with Active Park Distance Control, and Microsoft Office integration.
Powertrain
The BMW 8 Series coupe will come with 840d, a diesel-powered, inline-six toting powerhouse or the M850i with a 523-horsepower V-8. The M850i should be able to hit 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, thanks to its capacity to produce 553 pound-feet of torque. On the other hand, the diesel engine could produce 320 horsepower and 501 pound-feet of torque. It can hit 62 mph in 4.9 seconds.
