Autoblog

At 6:30 this morning, a stunt driver shooting a scene for the upcoming James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace, lost control of an Aston Martin DBS while filming a chase scene and plunged into Lake Garda in Italy. The film's executive producer, Anthony Waye, said that the scene was being shot in the pouring rain, and although the DBS didn't survive it's unplanned excursion into the water, the driver sustained only minor injuries and was released from the hospital earlier this afternoon. MI6 declined to comment on the incident, but a spokesperson for the agency remarked that the submersible kit for the Aston was under development. Too little, too late Q.

Thanks for the tip MaTTia.


[Source: Reuters.it - translated]

The lads at Autocar magazine really do have one of the best jobs in the world. They recently put together a "test" comparing some of the fastest cars in the world, including the Bugatti Veyron. Other cars include the brand new Lambo Gallardo Superleggera, Audi R8, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and the Aston Martin DB9 with Sports Pack.

While this video isn't a review per se, you do get an idea of the different personalities of each car and some flaws. If nothing else, watch it for the shots of a DB9 drifting through a corner or hearing the bark of the 530hp V10 engine in the Gallardo.

[Souce: YouTube via German Car Scene]

With the ink still moist on the purchase agreement for Aston Martin, there are some interesting developments already. As we've heard ad nauseum previously, David Richards of Prodrive, along with Texas banker John Sinders, and the Kuwaiti Investment Dar and Adeem Investment have taken a 90% stake in the company. Prodrive and Aston will stay separate, but Richards will get a seat on the board of directors, while Ulrich Bez will remain Chief Executive. The Gaydon plant will soldier on and possibly expand to make room for, wait for it, some new models.

The Rapide has been confirmed, with annual production of 1,000-2,000 units a year expected. Before that hits dealers, however, there should be a new, new DBS. "This will be different from the car that appeared in the latest James Bond film, and it won't be a direct replacement for the Vanquish either, because we prefer to carve out a new identity for the car," Bez explained. "However, it will be our flagship product, and it will use our VH platform."

Very interesting news, as we expected a Vanquish-ized DB9 in that slot. But it gets even better. Bez also mentioned in passing a new DBX. Rather than taking this as a mention of a DB9 replacement, his follow-up comment had the Autocar staff on the edge of their seats. "In the long term, we have to look for growth beyond the current range of cars," said Bez. Immediate thoughts of a Cayenne or Range Rover competitor came to mind. Perhaps it was the "X," but with their new association with Prodrive and the continued connection to Ford and PAG, anything is possible. Of course it could still be a new DB9 replacement that simply heads in a slightly different direction, say, by adding AWD, perhaps?

[Source: AutoCar via Coolbrit]

At the 1977 Geneva Auto Show, Porsche introduced the world to the 928, a – gasp – front-engine GT car that would compete with some of the great touring cars of its day. The portly Porsche achieved limited popularity over its 17-year run, but served as a sign of things to come when the Cayenne was introduced seven years later. Porschophiles the world over decried this latest offering as another bastard product that would water down the heritage of the automaker. No matter how much profit may have been generated by the Cayenne, or the Boxster for that matter, respect from Porsche's die-hard fanatics waned.

Fast-forward to 2006 and the controversy of Porsche's ever-expanding line-up comes to the fore again, this time in the form of the four-door Panamera. The new FR platform will allow Porsche to compete with other German manufacturers in the burgeoning $100k+ sedan market and also allows the automaker to resurrect the 928 moniker by shortening the wheelbase and lopping off its rear doors. Porsche wants a dog in the most prestigious of fights and in the realm of the high-price GT, stiff competition from BMW's M6, Merc's CL (now with AMG muscle), Aston Martin's DB9 and Jag's XKR proves that the market exists.

Car and Driver has put together what limited information is available about Porsche's new GT to come up with the above rendering and some technical speculation. As mentioned previously, both the Panamera and the 928 will share a platform, with the GT expected to share approximately 60 percent of the sedan's parts. A shorter wheelbase, coupled with a stiffer, multi-link suspension setup and the loss of a few pounds should lend a great deal to the 928's sporting pretenses. Motivation will come from a NA V8, producing upwards of 350 HP, with the option of cannibalizing the Cayenne's twin-turbo V8, making well over 500 HP and placing M.B.'s and BMW's high-po offerings directly in its sights. Gear selection will be similar to what's offered in the Panamera, with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox channeling power.

Pricing is expected to begin just above the 911's $90k, then head due north towards the mid-$100,000 market. If all goes according to plan, Porsche will debut the 928 sometime in 2011, with sales beginning the following year.

[Source: Car and Driver]