Aston Martin Carbon Black Special Editions

Aston Martin has announced these specialmodels: The Carbon Black Special Editions

The press release:

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Gaydon, Warwickshire. 18 December 2009. Aston Martin’s two top-of-the-range sports cars; the DBS and V12 Vantage have undergone a unique Carbon Black makeover to create a highly desirable special edition.

Celebrating the enormous success of the DBS and V12 Vantage which have surpassed all sales expectations since launch, the new special editions add a typically understated flair to these acclaimed models. Featuring bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint especially formulated with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina. Each car will undergo 50 man-hours of hand painting followed by stringent quality checks. For the V12 Vantage the iconic Aston Martin side strake has been fashioned from real carbon fibre backed by a black mesh and complimented with gloss black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. A bright finished grill and front parking sensors (normally an option) complete the exterior detailing.

Inside, owners will be greeted to swathes of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with a contrast silver coarse stitch all hand stitched by the craftspeople at Gaydon – Aston Martin’s global headquarters in England.
Lightweight seats formed from Carbon Fibre and Kevlar saving 17 kg over the standard seat also feature together with Piano black facia trim, centre stack and centre console, anodised black tread plates and unique sill plaques build on the carbon theme. The Aston Martin 700w Premium Audio System is delivered as standard in the V12 Vantage while the DBS boasts the Bang & Olufsen Beosound DBS audio system as standard.

Customers who order a Carbon Black Edition V12 Vantage will have the opportunity to experience Aston Martin’s renowned Performance Driving Course (UK and Europe only) free of charge which offers a memorable day helping customers to equip themselves with the skill sets to enhance the enjoyment of their Aston Martin on the track.
The Carbon Black Editions are available to order from the official Aston Martin dealership network with final pricing (expected to be approximately 5% over current base prices) to be confirmed in the New Year.

About the DBS
The DBS was launched in 2007 and is Aston Martin’s ultimate GT sports car. Benefitting from weight saving materials including aluminium and carbon fibre; the DBS offers dynamic and aesthetic purity, an exquisite interior and a driving experience unsurpassed by any other car in its coupe and Volante forms. Its hand built V12 engine produces 380 kW (510 bhp / 517 PS) making it one of the most powerful production cars Aston Martin has ever made. In 2009, the DBS ‘Volante’ (Aston Martin’s nomenclature for convertible) joined the DBS line-up

About the V12 Vantage
Launched in 2009, agility and outright performance form the basis of the design of the V12 Vantage creating the most exciting incarnation of the Vantage line-up to date. The V12 Vantage subtly hints at its sporting intent with its controlled aggression and lower, purposeful stance. The naturally aspirated 6.0- V12 engine provides the driver with instantaneous access to high levels of power and torque at all engine speeds, while Aston Martin’s class-leading, all alloy VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture provides exceptional strength and rigidity.

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New Veyron-models from Bugatti

At Dubai today, Bugatti presented three new Veyron-models.

Here is the press release:

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Dubai, 15th December 2009 – Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. finishes its Centenary celebrations with three tailor made cars, especially developed for its discerning clientele in the Middle East: the Veyron “Sang d’Argent”, the Grand Sport “Soleil de Nuit” and the Veyron “Nocturne”, limited to five cars only.

The “Nocturne” – a special Veyron five car edition exclusively for the Middle East Market
The Veyron “Nocturne” strikes with an extraordinary partition of surfaces never used so far, giving the car a new dimension of lateral length. Bugatti is experimenting with galvanized side windows continuing the line of the polished aluminium upper body parts to the rear of the car and contrast vividly with the uni black of the side- and door-panels and the roof. Added to that is the hood, also covered in polished aluminium which emphasizes this impression of elegant length. Special polished custom rims at the exterior and a futuristic interior dominated by a black nanocoated magnesium dashboard and a centre console in galvanized Platinum complete this unique combination of individualized modern design.
This mini series has been especially developed for the Middle East Market honouring its importance and its strong partners in the area - Al Habtoor Motors, UAE, Al Zayani Trading Co., Kuwait, Al Ghassan Motors, Saudi Arabia and Dana Motors, Quatar.

“Sang d’Argent” and “Soleil de Nuit” - two dreams for 1001 nights
The two-tone-scheme of the Centenary Villa d’Este cars were at the origin of the “Sang d’Argent”, a one-off Veyron version built exclusively for the Middle East. But the country coded coloured parts of the car have now been changed to a subtle silver metallic which discreetly flows into the lines of the polished aluminium parts – doors and front wings – thus enhancing the “silver theme” of this car; yet another unique Bugatti creation celebrating the 100th anniversary of the brand. The “Sang d'Argent” has the Grand Sport rims, they complete together with the air intakes on the roof the overall silver appearance

Through the windows shines a differentiating Havanna interior with quilting pattern on seats and saddle and other very personalized items emphasizing the unique features of this very special Bugatti.

The “Soleil de Nuit” – Sun of the Night – is another stunning example of how a modern interpretation of Bugatti’s core values “Art, Forme, Technique”: A very unusual colour/material split characterizes the “Soleil de Nuit”, the second Middle East one-off model created for the Dubai Motor Show. The horizontal split in the lower part of the car – a synthesis of polished Aluminium, painted Black Blue Metallic enriched by mirror shine meshes – softens the lines of this Grand Sport and gives the body a new touch of sportiness. Blue Metallic in the upper body parts and also in the inner side of the (“Sang Noir”) rims, the outer side of which are in diamond cut, underline the exquisite appearance of this dramatic looking car. A strong burnt orange interior crowns the attractiveness of this impressive “Soleil de Nuit”.

The cars will be available for delivery in the first quarter of 2010. Their prices range from 1.65 Mio Euro for the five car series of the “Nocturne” to 1.45 Mio Euro for the “Sang d’Argent” and 1.55 Mio for the “Soleil de Nuit”, the Veyron and Grand Sport one-off models.

Wildchilds from MB for Dubai

The Middle East is an important market for MB. Today the company released this:

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Dubai (VAE) – The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the highlight of this year's
International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main, is on display in a stunning gold paint finish at the Dubai International Motor Show. This matt silk finish with the designation "AMG Desert Gold" lends an extraordinary aura to the new super sports car. The show in Dubai is also the premiere of the special G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79" model. The Dubai Inter-national Motor Show is regarded as the most important motor show in the Middle East, and takes place every two years.
Matt gold on the aluminium body together with striking highlights in high-gloss black – an extraordinary and highly attractive combination. With its matt silk surface, "AMG Desert Gold" further accentuates the sporty appearance of the Gullwing model. All the decorative and mounted features that are in shining chrome or Silver Shadow in the standard SLS AMG have been given a deep-black paint finish by AMG's designers. Whether for the Mercedes star and the trim strip on the cross fin at the front, the fins on the bonnet and flanks, the filler cap or all the model plates: high-gloss black is used everywhere, ensuring a striking contrast with the matt silk sheen of the gold paintwork. The black-painted AMG light-alloy wheels in size 9.5 x 19 at the front and 11.0 x 20 at the rear are embellished with a golden ring on the rim flange.
"AMG Desert Gold" has currently only been used for the display vehicle at the Dubai International Motor Show, but given sufficient customer demand, this special gold paint finish could become available as an individual optional extra from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO. Two alluring matt paint finishes - AMG Monza grey magno" and "designo magno alanite grey" - are already offered for the SLS AMG. And as a highlight, the unique "AMG alubeam silver", a finish that makes the paintwork glisten like liquid metal. At present SLS AMG customers have a choice of nine attractive paint colours.
Completely black interior, with plenty of solid carbon-fibre
The interior of the special SLS AMG model is in uncompromising, sporty black, the AMG sports bucket seats corresponding with the solid carbon-fibre centre console and other carbon-fibre interior features. Opening the bonnet reveals the 420 kW (571 hp) AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, which is strikingly framed by the high-quality carbon-fibre engine compartment cover.
"The premiere of the SLS AMG in "AMG Desert Gold" at the Dubai International Motor Show is a token of respect for the Middle East. After the USA, Germany and Japan, the Gulf region is the fourth-largest market for AMG," says Volker Mornhinweg, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Special G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79" model
Exclusively destined for the Middle East, the special G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79" model is a reference to the sales start of the series in 1979. This 373 kW (507 hp) off-road icon has a particularly large community of fans in the Gulf region – which is the largest sales market for the top AMG model. The "Edition 79" has a highly attractive combination of unique features: the exclu-sivity of this limited edition of 79 off-roaders is immediately made apparent by the "designo magno alanite grey" paint finish. This matt finish is already familiar from the SLS AMG, but is otherwise unavailable for the G-Class. The G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79" differs from the standard model in having a crash bar at the front, carbon-look side trim strips, 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a titanium finish and chromed protective grilles for the front indicators, tail lights and the underguard. Eyecatching interior features include the designo leather seats in black/sand, high-quality, solid carbon-fibre trim and the Edition logo "1 out of 79" positioned in front of the selector lever.

Gemballa MIG-U1

Exciting! The motorshow of Dubai opens tomorrow, and among the new cars Gemballa will show the MIG-U1.

Techart sets new world record for SUVs

Techart showed strength at the Nardo-circuit, managing 321,2 km/h with a Cayenne producing 680 HP.

From the press release:

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321,2 km/h – Fullsize-SUV high speed record for TECHART

Leonberg, December 2009. TECHART Automobildesign really set the sparks flying at this year`s trial of strength at the High Speed Event in Nardo/Italy. Test driver Sandro Reuter reached a top speed of 321,2 km/h, respectively 200 mph, with the TECHART refined Porsche Cayenne Turbo. TECHART thus secured a new speed record for Fullsize-SUVs. The circular 12.4 kilometer track is still considered to be the world´s fastest motor racing circuit, even ahead of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the United States.
The winner car, refined with the TECHART equipment, is based on a Porsche Cayenne Turbo with Turbo S technology. The installed TA 055/2.2 performance kit takes the engine up to 680 hp, an increase of 130 hp compared with the standard production model. The Aerodynamics Kit I, together with the “Sport” air suspension module, additionally delivered the necessary performance on the circuit.
But thought was also given to TECHART´s usual external upgrades on the vehicle. The TECHART daytime running lights, sports steering wheel, carbon kit, aluminium pedals, decorative stitching and seat belts in gray, additional leather in Luxury Black and illuminated door entry guards with the TECHART logo made the car to a highlight in the pit lane.
Along with the driver`s skills, this success was primarily driven by the perfect, systematic adjustment of the wheels and the suspension. For the record run at moderate temperatures the TECHART Team chose Continental Cross Contact UHP high-performance tires on 22-inch TECHART Formula rims, which were exposed to specific loading as a result of the one-sided cornering on the circuit. Longstanding TECHART test driver Sandro Reuter said with great satisfaction: “The SUV was ideally prepared for the event. Both the engine and the tires showed a high level of performance and consistency.”