Auto information & review » Uncategorized

Aston Martin - sports car from Britain

admin — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 22:04:16 +0000

Aston Martin
Type Private Limited Company
Industry Automotive
Founded 1913
Founder(s) Lionel Martin
Robert Bamford
Headquarters Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Key people Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO
Marek Reichman, Director of Design
Products Automobiles
Owner(s) David Richards
John Sinders
Investment Dar

aston-martin-12.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 176 KB

From 1994 until 2007 Aston Martin was part of the Ford Motor Company, becoming part of the company's Premier Automotive Group in 2000. On 12 March 2007, it was purchased for ￡479 million by a joint venture company, headed by David Richards and co-owned by Investment Dar and Adeem Investment of Kuwait and English businessman John Sinders. Ford retained a US$77 million stake in Aston Martin, valuing the company at US$925 million.

In January 2009, it was announced that the company was entering the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours race as a factory team in the prestigious LMP1 division. After competing throughout the 2008 season with a Lola B08/60 LMP1 Coupe under the Charouz Racing banner, Aston Martin will use a slightly modified Lola LMP1 design for their programme. Three Lola-Aston Martins have been entered in the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours by Aston Martin but only two have been confirmed with sponsorship. Aston Martin will also compete in the complete Le Mans series with the Lola-Aston Martin LMP cars, starting at Barcelona in early April. The programme got off to an unfortunate start at the pre season Paul Ricard test on March 8 when Tomas Enge destroyed the 007 car in an accident. Aston Martin Racing have subsequently taken delivery of a new Lola to replace the written off chassis.

2010 Outsourced Rapide
The first four-door Aston Martin Rapide sports cars rolled out of the Magna Steyr factory in Graz, Austria. The contract manufacturer provides dedicated facilities to ensure compliance with the exacting standards of Aston Martin and other marques, including Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot.

aston-martin-1.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 24 KB

aston-martin-10.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 118 KB

aston-martin-11.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 143 KB

aston-martin-2.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 42 KB

aston-martin-3.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 23 KB

aston-martin-4.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 146 KB

aston-martin-5.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 162 KB

aston-martin-6.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 69 KB

aston-martin-7.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 68 KB

aston-martin-8.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 131 KB

aston-martin-9.jpg_ / Resolution: 1024x768 / Size: 32 KB

The world's major automotive industry giants attending the Shanghai auto show

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:19:38 +0000

China has just released the first quarter of new car sales, which have overtaken the United States, ranking first in the field. No doubt that it once again raises the global auto industry's strong confidence in the Chinese market. Under the adverse situation of the global downsized auto show, the Shanghai auto show has attracted the eyes of the world. None of the major car industry giants are absent, "the situation here is fine."

the Shanghai Motor Show that will be carried out on 2009 22nd will cover an overall size of more than 170 thousand square meters, 20% more than the previous one. It is reported from 25 countries and regions, more than 1,500 automotive-related enterprises will be on the scene, and international car giant will show at least 13 brand-new models, and local enterprises will display more highlight.

Wang, vice chairman of Branch CCPIT said that in fact, the size of the Shanghai Motor Show has exceeded that of the Geneva Motor Show, Detroit Motor Show and other international motor shows, which indicate that the global car industry has gradually focus its attention on China.

As one of the world's five largest auto shows, the size of Detroit auto show held at the beginning of the year has decreased, and many expected car manufacturers are absent. So is the Geneva Motor Show after it. Tokyo International Motor Show is also facing a substantial shrinking this fall, for many North American car industry giants are no longer participating in it, and a few days ago, some rumor says some well-known car enterprises are going to retreat from the Frankfurt Auto Show.

The 60th Anniversary Hurst Viper - first!

admin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:21:10 +0000

Ron Flint, president of Hurst Performance, is quick to let you know that founder George Hurst's original intent was to make hot rods for gentlemen. It is ironic, then, that for the revived company's 60th anniversary, it has thrown its energies into a car that isn't a hot rod, and certainly isn't for gentlemen: a Dodge Viper. Leaving the heart of the beast well enough alone, Hurst merely tinkered with some oily bits, stuffed the thing with leather, and then slathered it in a hue something like a monochrome sunset. Autoblog was invited to be the first to drive the Hurst 50th Anniversary Dodge Viper, and you know what we discovered? There's (matte) gold in them thar hills. Follow the jump for the story and video of our drive, and be sure to check out the gallery of gorgeous high-res images below.

First 'green' supercar of the world

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:20:48 +0000

Driving prototypes is practically useless. It's next to impossible to get a feel for what the production version is capable of, and you rarely get a chance to explore the limits. Our time with the Ronn Motor Company Scorpion didn't change that sentiment, but it did give us a glimpse into the upstart's future and how its program is progressing since the concept's introduction at last year's SEMA show.

Tooling around Sacramento in the V6-powered, hydrogen-injected roadster, the unmuffled exhaust made us almost as uncomfortable as the lack of seatbelts. But to the company's credit, the Scorpion is a rarity in the show-car world – a concept that actually drives. So when the call came from Texas to get some wheel-time in the Scorpion, we jumped at the chance. Hell, Arnold Schwarzenegger personally invited the Ronn Motors crew to the Capitol to get a closer look... who are we to deny the chance to hold court with the Governator?

gemballa 2009 style cars

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:58:31 +0000

“Phase one, which we have presented now, brings more cooling air to all the radiators and to the engine … for more engine power at high speed,” says Uwe Gemballa. “Phase three will be a biturbo version with a new generation of adjustable turbos. It will be started in early 2007 [and make] 800 and 1000 hp.”

But for now, those who have the good fortune (as well as the cold hard cash type of fortune) to hold the Alcantara wheel in their hands and feel the acceleration of the Gemballa Mirage GT, will likely not be disappointed. Considering Porsche claims the stock Carrera GT rockets to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and independent testing has put that closer to 3.6 seconds, the Mirage GT might just dip below 3.5.

Technically, the only modification to the engine is an exhaust system that increases horsepower by roughly 30 to 40 points. The new exhaust ends in quad tips, compared to the Carrera GT’s twin tips. The two additional exit pipes are located on each side of the original tips and are integrated into the rear bumper in the same fashion. This involved moving the reverse lights, which have now been integrated into the Mirage’s diffuser. Arguably the enormous roof scoop – which according to Gemballa, will later be used to cool the turbos – should also add to the engine’s performance numbers, using the ram-air effect to create horsepower at speed. Likewise, all of the added design cues on the Mirage were purposefully thought-out to better increase performance, whether through horsepower, downforce or cooling.

chevrolet latest 2009 cars

admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:58:15 +0000

I pondered this for a while and decided to stretch it further. Why not compare the sides to motorcars. With that logic, one might say that table-topping Chelsea are like a gleaming blue Bentley; brash, loud — with a certain arrogance — and ridiculously expensive. Manchester United, on the other hand, would be the scarlet Ferrari, bristling with pace and passion, and with a penchant for fine performances.
Arsenal would have to be one of those preciously delicate supercars, like a Lamborghini — capable of breathtaking displays and just as likely to fail to start the next morning. Up in the high echelons of the table, you find the surprise package that is Hull City, an old school Mini, if you will. Plain, simple and encouragingly battling against the biggest odds. In mid-table are the wannabe supercars, the Alfa Romeos of this world ( Everton, West Ham, Portsmouth) who always seem to look better on paper than on the field.

Once Chevrolet turned to General Motors' South Korean subsidiary Daewoo to build the Aveo, drivers started noticing an affordable and greatly improved subcompact over previous small Chevys.

The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo has a more fuel-efficient engine standard on all trim levels, and it's a worthy contender in its class.

For a subcompact, price and fuel economy are important. The Aveo delivers. However, the car still has a way to go to compete with the redesigned Honda Fit, the Toyota Yaris or even the Kia Rio. The Aveo offers decent quality at a base sticker price of $11,965. The Aveo I drove cost $17,200.

I drove the four-door hatchback 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 with 2 LT trim. The 1LT trim level adds air-conditioning and an upgraded six-speaker audio system with CD player. Optional on the 1LT are remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, cruise control and satellite radio. (Power sideview mirrors are not available.) The 2LT comes with the 1LT's optional equipment and adds 15-inch wheels, front foglamps, a trip computer, upgraded cloth upholstery, heated power sideview mirrors and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.