Aston Martin Vanuquish Zagato Revealed

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Unicorn is a term too often tossed around in the automotive community but it’s one that applies to the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake. We got our first peek at the new Zagato-styled Astons in August, but this is our first look at the two-door wagon.

Only 99 Coupes, 99 Volantes, 99 Shooting Brakes, and 28 Speedsters will be sold. That’s 325 cars worldwide for those who don’t want to do the math.

Aston Martin and Zagato’s partnership goes back to the DB4 GT Zagato, first shown in October 1960 at the London Motor Show. Nearly sixty years later, this is the first time a family of cars has been sold together.

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“We haven’t released Zagato models as a family before, at least not in this way, but the idea is not without precedent,” says Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, in a release.

“Why create a family of Zagatos? Well, many of our customers want different things. Some prefer the purity of a Coupe, but others love the idea of something more extreme, like the Speedster.”

Reichman says some customers have ordered one of each. Though styling varies between versions, they share their underpinnings with the Vanquish S. This means they’re all powered by a naturally aspirated V-12 cranking out 580 hp. A Touchtronic III auto box serves as the only transmission choice. Aston says each model has its own custom active suspension damping system.

The Shooting Brake is the most touring-oriented member of the lineup and was designed with practicality as a priority. It features an elongated version of Zagato’s signature “double-bubble” roof with glass inlays to allow more light inside the greenhouse.

To complete the touring specifications, the Shooting Brakes have a bespoke luggage set tailored to fit the car.

Production for the Shooting Brake variant starts in 2018, though every Aston Martin Zagato is rumored be priced at more than $1,300,000 and to have already been sold.

If it sounds elusive, that’s because it’s a proper unicorn.

Source: Aston Martin

Hennessey Performance Will Unveil Newest Car

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On November 1, Hennessey Performance will unveil its newest car: the Venom F5. So far, we’ve seen a shot of the rear end, as well as a teaser suggesting the F5 will have a top speed approaching 300 mph. Ahead of its debut at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association show, though, the teasing continues.

Today, Hennessey showed off a close-up of the rear end. You can clearly see the massive diffuser and triple exhaust, as well as a lot of the detail work. “To reduce drag and maximize aerodynamic efficiency and overall performance, it’s just as important to manage airflow underneath a vehicle as it is over the body,” reads the caption.

But since we’ve already seen the rear end, the second teaser shows us a lot more. It’s the first shot we’ve seen of the interior, revealing a dash that’s almost entirely carbon fiber. The air conditioning vents mimic the triple exhaust, and there’s a wide touchscreen that appears to show the Venom F5’s front end. The caption claims the interior design is inspired by what they think Steve Jobs would have built, which is certainly an aspirational goal even if Apple’s late chief executive officer would have probably never built a hypercar.

From what we’ve seen, though, it looks like Hennessey hasn’t changed the Venom F5 very much since we first saw

15 Electric Cars Ready To Use

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These days, if you are in the market for a fully electric, long-range vehicle, your options are pretty limited.

In fact, Tesla vehicles are currently the only cars that have an official range of more than 200 miles per charge.

But it won’t be long before there’s an influx of long-range electric cars hitting the market.

Most major automakers, including GM and Volkswagen, have vowed to roll out more than one fully electric car by 2020.

Here’s a look at some of the vehicles coming to market in the next few years.

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Tesla unveiled its Model 3 this year and aims to begin production by the end of 2017.

Tesla revealed its first mass market, long-range vehicle on March 31, but the car won’t go into production until 2017.

The car has a starting range of more than 200 miles per charge and can go form zero to 60 miles per hour in just six seconds.

The car will cost $35,000 before incentives and will be about 20% smaller than the company’s Model S. However, it can still seat five people pretty comfortably.

Tesla’s also has plans to introduce a next-generation Roadster in 2019.

AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere

Tesla will reveal a new Roadster in 2019, according to a statement by CEO Elon Musk in July of last year.

Almost no details have been revealed about the new car, except for the fact that it will be built for speed. Musk said in the statement that the new car will be capable of going from zero to 60 in less than 2.8 seconds, which is faster than its cars can go in „Ludicrous Mode.“

The Bolt EV is going into production this year.

Chevrolet

General Motors revealed the production model of its first affordable, long-range car called the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The car will become available before the end of 2016, have a range of about 200 miles per charge, and will cost around $30,000 after tax incentives.

Audi will launch its first electric SUV based off the e-tron quattro concept by 2018.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Audi confirmed in January that it was planning to begin production of its first all-electric SUV at its Brussels plant in 2018.

The new vehicle will be heavily inspired by the company’s e-tron quattro concept, which the company originally unveiled at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September.

The new SUV will have three motors, a range of 310 miles on a single charge, and quick charging capabilities, the company also confirmed in January.

The name of the new car has not been officially announced, however, it is rumored to be called the Q6.

Porsche plans to begin making its Mission E Concept by 2020.

Porsche also unveiled an impressive electric car concept in September and in December the company confirmed that it would be investing some $1.09 billion in new facilities to begin production of its first all-electric car.

The concept car, dubbed the Mission E, boasts a range of about 310 miles per charge and is capable of charging about 80 percent in just 15 minutes.

However, it’s worth noting that the range is likely based on European testing and not EPA standards, so its range could be more in the 240-mile range.

In addition to the long range and quick charging time, the car will also be capable of going from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds.

 

Aston Martin has plans to develop its RapidE concept by 2018.

British luxury car maker Aston Martin said in mid-February that it is teaming up with the Chinese technology firm LeEco (formerly LeTV) to develop a production version of its all-electric Aston Martin RapidE Concept by 2018.

The RapidE concept, which is based on the company’s Rapide S sedan, is expected to have a range of 200 miles per charge and price between $200,000 to $250,000.

The company will also be collaborating on „a range of next-generation connected electric vehicles“ with the electric car start-up Faraday Future, which is also in a partnership with LeEco.

 

Faraday Future says it will have a car on the road within the next four years.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The mysterious car startup Faraday Future is promising it will have a car on the road sometime during the next few years.

The company revealed its first concept car, the FFZero1, at CES in January, but it was a true concept car that is unlikely to go into production.

However, Faraday told Tech Insider at CES that it’s working on having its first production car on the roads in the next few years.

Richard Kim, the company’s lead designer, also said its first car will be for the premium side of the market, meaning it will likely price in the same range as a Tesla.

The Volkswagen Group plans to launch several electric cars by the end of the decade. One will be similar to its Budd-E concept.

Cadie Thompson/Tech Insider

Volkswagen’s CEO Matthias Mueller said on Thursday that the automaker will deliver more than 30 electric plugin-in models by 2025. Previously, the company has said that it would deliver 20 electric vehicles by 2020.

The company also aims to launch its first fully autonomous vehicle by the end of the decade.

Volkswagen is the parent company of both Audi and Porsche, so we already know that the Mission E and etron quattro will make up two of these 20 cars. But in early January the company revealed another fully-electric concept car called the Budd-E, which has a range of 230 miles on a single charge.

In late January, Volkmar Tanneberger, the company’s head of electronic development, told CAR Magazine that the company will produce a car that looks a lot like the Budd-E reach production by 2020.

Hyundai’s Ioniq EV is expected to become available in some markets in 2017.

Hyundai showed off its line of electrified Ioniq vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show in March. At the time, the company introduced a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and an all electric model.

The all-electric Ioniq EV will have a range of 110 miles per charge and will become available in the US later this year. Pricing has not yet been revealed.

Citroen is rolling out a new all-electric E-Mehari this year.

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The French company Citroën is launching its E-Mehari in France this Spring, but it will roll out in other European countries by the end of 2016.

The cute little car has a range of 124 miles per charge when driving in the city and a range of about 62-miles when driving in a non-urban setting.

Mercedes-Benz is aiming to launch at least one new electric car by 2018.

Daimler, which is Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, already offers two all-electric cars. One is called the B250E, which has a range of about 87 miles per charge. The other is its Smart Fortwo electric car, which has a city range of 76 miles per charge.

But the company plans to launch at least one new all-electric car by 2018.

According to a Reuters report published in early June, Daimler’s chief development officer Thomas Weber said the company will debut a prototype of an electric Mercedes vehicle with a range of 310 miles per charge at the Paris Motor Show in October.

According to a report in the German magazine AutoBild published in December, it could be an electric version of its GLC crossover. However, there is now speculation that the vehicle could be a coupe.

 

Ford is going to roll out at least one fully electric car, but hasn’t shared many details yet.

Ford

Ford announced in December that it has big plans to build some 13 new hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric cars by 2020.

The company’s CEO Mark Fields said that he wants 40% of Ford’s nameplates to have an electrified version by 2020. So we can likely expect to see of the company’s most popular cars converted into fully electric vehicles.

Currently, Ford only offers one fully electric vehicle, the Focus Electric. With a full charge, the Focus Electric has a range of 76 miles, according to EPA ratings.

Volvo will build its first all electric car by 2019.

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In October, Volvo’s CEO Håkan Samuelsson said that by 2020, 10% of its global sales will be from electrified vehicles.

The company said it will roll out its first all-electric vehicle, though, by 2019.

Volvo hasn’t released any details about its first fully electric EV. However, it’s likely to have a range comparable to its competitors of 150 miles per charge or more.

The company kicked off its electrification plan with the launch of the plug-in hybrid version of its XC90 SUV in August. The vehicle has a pure electric range of about 26 miles.

Nissan is also expected to roll out a Leaf with a range of about 200 miles per charge.

Nissan’s Leaf currently has a charge of about 107 miles per charge. But there’s speculation that the automaker will roll out a 200-mile range Leaf sooner than expected.

And considering that Nissan has been the leader in the EV space for sometime, it wouldn’t be surprising if the car maker surprised us all and came out with a new EV later this year or next.

Last year, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn also hinted that the company had something in the works.

AS InsideEVs pointed out, Ghosn made the following comment about battery technology at Mobile World Congress in March 2015: „…like any new technology the costs are going down, because there is much more efficiency, much more supply base moving in. So I’m much more optimistic that we are going to get to something much more competitive in the next year to come.“

 

How To Protect Your Cars Interior?

Sometimes, it can feel like you live in your car. You wake up in the morning and head straight to your car to go to work. You take it to lunch with you, and then you drive it home at the end of the day. It’s also with you for road trips, carpools, and nights out on the town. With all of the time you spend in your car, it’s easy for your interior to take a beating. Avoid that from happening and keep your interior looking like new.

Use All-Weather Floor Mats

From sand to rain, you can track a lot of things into your car throughout the year. Prevent dirt and grime from soaking into the carpets by adding all-weather floor mats to the floors of your vehicle. These floor mats will alleviate some stress when you step into your car during a rainstorm.

Use a Sunshade

Mother Nature can wreak havoc on your car’s interior. If you leave your car out in the sun, the UV rays will beam down into the interior, and over time, the vinyl might actually crack. Put a sunshade on the windshield when your vehicle is parked outside. That will protect it from sun damage.

Use Seat Covers

If you have kids or like to eat in your car, you need to invest in some seat covers. You can find seat covers that fit all makes and models. Once you get your covers, slip them over your seats so you won’t have to worry about stains setting into your fabric or leather. Then, if something happens to the seat covers, replace it.

Detail Your Vehicle on a Regular Basis

It is easy to protect your interior if you detail it on a regular basis. You can use cleaning supplies and detail it on your own, or you can pay someone to take care of it for you. This proactive approach will keep your interior looking like new.

If it’s too late for your interior, it’s time to visit Ray Brandt Infiniti in Metairie, Louisiana. Look through the dealership’s options and pick out your new Infiniti. Then, you can start fresh. Follow these tips for your new Infiniti, and your interior will look as good as new for years to come.

Auto Mechanics Need Latest Skills To Succeed

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In the past few years, the auto industry has seen major changes in designs and special features, and keeping these cars maintained and on the road takes highly skilled technicians and mechanics.

„Today’s mechanics are not the mechanics of five years ago. The training for auto technicians today is incredible. The industry is moving extremely fast with technology, and so is the ongoing and advanced training that our mechanics are engaged in,“ said Marc Cannon, senior vice president, AutoNation, a retailer of new cars, trucks and SUVs, with 18 store locations in Houston.

According to Cannon, five years ago, Bluetooth technology was just being introduced and is now in most new cars.

Navigation equipment, voice activation, hybrids and electric cars are all new technologies, so mechanics are being continually trained. Diesel vehicles also have changed – they are cleaner and more efficient.

„The chairman and CEO of AutoNation started his career as a mechanic, so he is heavily vested and interested in all of our service departments (having) the most advanced training,“ Cannon said.

The advanced training Cannon noted, is offered by the dealerships, and often manufacturers send representatives for training. Other methods of training include videos, web-based classes, and live training at dealerships. If there are special courses being offered at a local college, AutoNation sends its mechanics.

„We are making large investments in our service departments to ensure our mechanics are all well trained,“ Cannon said.

Universal Technical Institute, a nationwide provider of technical education training for entry-level automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, is also constantly updating its programs for the new technology.

„We have two programs, one for core courses, and specializations. For example, we offer specializations for nine or 10 manufacturers, such as Ford, Mercedes, Nissan, Cummins Motors, etc. These programs are supported by the manufacturers,“ said Ed Fletcher, director, Employment Services, Universal Technical Institute Inc.

For example, when students complete the Ford program, they have 60 percent of the certification needed to be a Ford Master Technician.

The school continues to keep up to date through relationships with the manufacturers, which provide the latest model vehicles for the students to train on.

„We graduate very competent technicians/mechanics, with a strong background of fundamentals, and specific manufacturer training. Most of our students work part time in a shop or dealership while they are still in school. After graduating, they move to full time,“ Fletcher said.

Right now, Fletcher said that vehicle technicians/mechanics are in high demand, more so than ever before, and he has more job openings than he has students. There are approximately 1,500 students in the school, with programs being one to two years, depending on a student’s chosen path.

„The oil and gas industry hires many of our students. All of the new fracking equipment, pumps, generators and others, all work off engines, which have to be maintained, with preventive maintenance and repair, which our students can do. This industry is an open opportunity for our students,“ Fletcher said.

The pay for auto mechanics differs from each facility, shop or state. However, nationwide, auto service technicians/mechanics earned a mean annual income of $41,370 in 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Due to the demand, these numbers have gone up.

„In Houston, there are usually different pay areas, such as commission, hourly and salaried. Those who work on commission and are good, and work fast can make six figures,“ Fletcher said.

Further details

For information about UTI Houston, visit www.uti.edu, and for AutoNation, www.autonation.com.

Engine for Sports Cars

Ever since the death of the RX-8 in 2012, we’ve been wondering when a rotary engine would return to a production car. Well, according to this latest report from Automotive News, it could happen as soon as 2019.

Mazda global powertrain boss Mitsuo Hitomi says the rotary is likely to return as a range extender engine to generate power for an upcoming EV on longer journeys, according to Automotive News. This makes sense considering the rotary’s compact design, low vibration, and sufficient power output.

Autmotive News reports this EV will come to market in 2019 in two configurations; one completely electric, and the other equipped with a range extender.

 

This isn’t even the first time we’ve seen Mazda use the rotary as a range extender. The company revealed a battery-powered Mazda2 concept back in 2013 (above) that used a 330cc rotary as a generator.

According to Hitomi, there’s another rotary engine in development, and it could power a new sports car. The biggest roadblock? Whether it actually makes financial sense for Mazda to produce it.

For Mazda, it’s „whether the business conditions will be met or not … not the big technical issues,“ according to Hitomi. „Are we going to really sell that many models of sports cars? There aren’t that many auto companies selling multiple sports cars.“

But the fact that the engine is being developed should give us a sliver of hope of seeing a new RX sports car from Mazda some time in the future.

From: Road & Track