Autoblog

Aston Martin debuts production V12 Zagato

Zach Bowman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:10:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Etc., Europe, Aston Martin, UK, Design/Style, Luxury

Aston Martin has pulled back the sheets on the first images of its production V12 Zagato. The road car is headed for an official debut at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March.

Following in the tradition of the automaker's ultra exclusive One-77, the V12 Zagato will take more than 2,000 man-hours to manufacture thanks to hand-hewn body panels, including the hood, roof and doors. Not surprisingly, Aston Martin has committed to building just 150 examples. The V12 Zagato will also make extensive use of carbon fiber, with the front and rear fenders, trunk lid and door sills all constructed from the composite.

Aston Martin created four new colors especially for the V12 Zagato, and paint alone takes 100 hours to complete. Indoors, it takes a full seven hides to cover the cabin in hand-stitched, quilted leather.

The V12 Zagato effectively rides on the same underpinnings as the V12 Vantage, which means buyers can look forward to a 6.0-liter V12 engine with 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, while a six-speed manual transmission puts the power to the ground. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Aston Martin debuts production V12 Zagato

Aston Martin debuts production V12 Zagato originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin gets to work on new V12 Vantage GT3

Noah Joseph — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury, Racing

It seems to us like Aston Martin never tires of rolling out ever hotter renditions of its Vantage sports coupe. As if the original V8 Vantage weren't enticing enough, Aston then shoehorned a V12 under the hood. Zagato then rebodied what we already thought was one of the shapeliest beasts on the market. And the improvements just keep on rumbling in. But then there's the racing versions. Oh, the racing versions!

The N24 showed us what it meant to take beauty to the beast that is the Nürburgring. Then came the GT4 racing model, followed by the even hotter GT2. The category in-between used to be tended to by the DBRS9, but now Aston's opted to replace it with yet another competition version of the Vantage.

First teased back in April, Aston revealed further photos and details of the V12 Vantage GT3 in August, and the British marque has now commenced track testing of its latest racing machine. Packing a 6.0-liter V12 with more than 600 horsepower and enough wings and ducting to make a fighter jet blush, the new Vantage GT3 has already covered a thousand kilometers of shakedown running while gearing up to take on series like the FIA GT3 championships, the Blancpain Endurance Series and the VLN Nürburgring series.

Like what you see? There's a fresh pair of images we've added to our gallery, and a whole mess of specifications in the press release after the jump, so check 'em out and start dreaming of racing glory.

Continue reading Aston Martin gets to work on new V12 Vantage GT3

Aston Martin gets to work on new V12 Vantage GT3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Pagani releases odd coffee-flavored C9 teaser

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:07:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos

Pagani teases... something - Click above to watch video after the jump

The Pagani C9 is coming and it will be here sooner than you think. Slated to arrive in the beginning of 2011, the C9 figures to be a beastly V12-powered supercar ready to pick up where the Zonda leaves off... if it ever actually leaves. Before we get a good look at the production C9, Pagani has decided to go the teaser route. It's giving us a glimpse of... something, and it's doing it in video form rather than close-ups of a headlamp or a wheel lugnut.

It's hard to tell exactly what to look for in the video, but you have to watch until this most subtle of teasers all the way to the end to find it. Hop the jump to view the java-flavored clip. Thanks to all for the tips!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Pagani releases odd coffee-flavored C9 teaser

Video: Pagani releases odd coffee-flavored C9 teaser originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lamborghini Murcielago production end honored with V12 parade

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lamborghini

Click above to watch video after the jump

After nine years and 4,099 examples produced, the Lamborghini Murciélago has reached the end of its production cycle. A new V12-equipped Lambo is on the horizon, but before that beast roars to life the Italian automaker decided to take its resident raging bull for one more lap through Sant'Agata Bolognese.

Not content to trot the Murciélago out alone, Lamborghini also lined up a 350 GT, Miura, Countach and Diablo to escort the Super Veloce. Baby-brother Gallardo also gets in on the parade action by means of the local polizia. The whole affair was captured on video and, while it might not be action packed, it is packed with beautiful and exotic examples of Lamborghini's history.
Hop the jump to watch the Murciélago take on final victory lap through its hometown.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Lamborghini Murcielago production end honored with V12 parade

Video: Lamborghini Murcielago production end honored with V12 parade originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Pagani C9 caught flexing its V12 muscle

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 16:14:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, MISC

Spy Shots: Pagani C9 - Click above for high-res image gallery

While you might be at home recovering from a Turkey-induced hangover, the dedicated spy photographers of the world are out and about, dutifully catching glimpses of new cars as they are tested. One lucky lensmith caught a camouflaged Pagani C9 being put through a rigorous testing regime.

And rigorous it is, with a reported 500,000-plus combined kilometers having ticked off the odometers of the four prototypes and one test mule. Pagani wants to hit 700,000 kilometers before the car shows its unmasked face, which looks almost Fisker-esque in the photos you see here.

The Pagani C9 is powered by an AMG-developed V12 engine, which is not related to the V12 found in the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. Rumor has it that the V12 powering the C9 produces over 700 horsepower while also lowering C02 emissions to sub-supercar levels.

We're still calling it the C9, but the real name will be revealed sometime in the next few weeks. Pagani's Zonda replacement, whatever moniker it might wear, should make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2011. If that happens, you can be certain we'll be on hand to capture it from every angle.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Pagani C9

[Source: Carpix]

Spy Shots: Pagani C9 caught flexing its V12 muscle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Lamborghini highlights new V12 with a quartet of clips

Noah Joseph — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Lamborghini

Lamborghini's new V12 and ISR transmission - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Lamborghini is pretty excited about its new V12, and justifiably so. The outgoing Bizzarrini-designed engine it replaces has been on duty for nearly fifty years since the company's founding, and has powered everything from supercars to SUVs to F1 racers along the way.

The new clean-sheet design - which was just recently announced - is set to power the Murcielago's replacement, tipped to be named the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. Along with it, Sant'Agata has also developed a new breed of gearbox, which is highlighted in the series of videos we've placed for your viewing pleasure after the jump. Check 'em out for a closer look at the beating heart of a new generation of Raging Bulls.

Gallery: Lamborghini's new V12 and ISR transmission

[Source: Lamborghini]

Continue reading Videos: Lamborghini highlights new V12 with a quartet of clips

Videos: Lamborghini highlights new V12 with a quartet of clips originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini reveals all-new 6.5L V12 engine and ISR gearbox

Noah Joseph — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Technology, Lamborghini

Lamborghini's new V12 and ISR transmission - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever since the introduction of the 350 GT in 1964, every twelve-cylinder Lamborghini has used a derivative of the same engine, straight through the Miura, Espada, Countach, LM002, Diablo, Murciélago and Reventón. Now, the Italian automaker is throwing that old design in the trash bin and starting fresh with a clean-sheet design. And what a design.

Destined for duty in the upcoming Murcielago successor, this 6.5-liter V12 is an all-new engine - designed, developed and produced entirely in-house at the company's Sant'Agata Bolognese factory. It features four-valve cylinder heads made from an aluminum-silicon alloy, short stroke and lightweight construction to deliver an output of 700 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque.

Along with the new engine, Lamborghini introduces a new type of gearbox called the Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission. Employing dual shifting rods, the ISR is said to be able to shift nearly 50 percent faster than a comparable dual-clutch gearbox, while weighing considerably less. Follow the jump for the full details in the official press release and check out the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Lamborghini's new V12 and ISR transmission

[Source: Lamborghini]

Continue reading Lamborghini reveals all-new 6.5L V12 engine and ISR gearbox

Lamborghini reveals all-new 6.5L V12 engine and ISR gearbox originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage drops by Jay Leno's Garage

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Aston Martin, Celebrities, Luxury

Jay Leno spends time with the 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage sits up near the top of the 'ole Autoblog must-drive car list. While we wait for the day that someone hands us a crystal 'Emotion Control Unit' to fire one up, we can sit back and live vicariously through Jay Leno. Mr. Leno recently got to spend some time with the British sports coupe and was kind enough to capture his experience on camera.

Leno remarks that the V12 Vantage is "almost the perfect combination of hardcore track sports car and GT car." To prove that, he turns the camera over to his tame racing driver, Justin Bell, who brings the car to Willow Springs and puts it through its paces. Check out Jay, Justin and the 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage in the video after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage drops by Jay Leno's Garage

Video: 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage drops by Jay Leno's Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Aston Martin's Lagonda sedan shapes up

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Performance, Aston Martin, Rumormill, Luxury

Breaking: Aston Martin prepares to revive the Lagonda.

Update: The Lagonda is being shelved.

Incoming: Aston Martin to turn Lagonda into SUV.

News Now: Lagonda SUV ridiculed by entire industry, tucks tail and runs from auto show circuit.

We've seen concepts, heard rumors and waited patiently for hope that a revival of the Aston Martin Lagonda (just not necessarily in the form of an SUV...) would prove to be true. It seems that patience is paying off as new renderings of what may lie around the corner have just surfaced.

According to our Brit-friends at Auto Express, Aston Martin is preparing to unleash a Rapide-based Lagonda sedan with longer proportions and at least 500 horsepower from a 6.0-liter V12 engine. Also possible is the inclusion of start-stop tech and regenerative braking, designed to help the Lagonda reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

We'll keep our eyes and ears peeled for any news on this potential range-topping super sedan. For now, head over to Auto Express for a better look at a rendering of a potential Aston Martin Lagonda. If it is indeed headed for production, expect it to arrive on our holiday wish list in 2014.

[Source: Auto Express via Daily Derbi]

Rendered Speculation: Aston Martin's Lagonda sedan shapes up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Moto Guzzi V12 Concepts shot in the studio

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Motorcycle, Design/Style

Moto Guzzi V12 X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Late last year, Moto Guzzi showed off a trio of concept bikes to point the way forward for the famed Italian marque as it struggles to shed its somewhat stodgy image and attract new buyers. Judging from the effort, which was led by Miguel Galluzzi (he of Ducati Monster and Aprilia RSV4 fame) and Pierre Terblanche (who designed the famed Ducati Supermono, 999, Multistrada 620 and 1000 and Hypermotard), we think they're on to something big.

The boys from Hell For Leather recently got the chance to sit down with the designing duo and scored both an interview and the first studio shots taken of both the V12 Le Mans and V12 X. We're big fans of both these concepts, though we'd perhaps steal bits of each one and combine them to make the ideal Guzzi. For instance, we prefer the no-nonsense supermoto style and general ethos of the X but think the single-sided swingarm with integral shock and linkage is pretty darn awesome. As is the flyscreen/LED light combo on the Strada.

Take a look at both bikes in our high-res image gallery below, and check out HFL for more details on the Strada, V12 X and Le Mans.

Gallery: Moto Guzzi V12 X Concept

Gallery: Moto Guzzi V12 Le Mans concept

Gallery: Moto Guzzi V12 Strada Concept

[Source: Hell For Leather]

Moto Guzzi V12 Concepts shot in the studio originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: Details and pics aplenty

Zach Bowman — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery

Meet the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. The Silver Arrow has been kind enough to dish the goods on next year's version of the company's flagship coupe and even threw in a passel of photos to boot. So what's new? For starters, the CL550 4MATIC now packs an all-new twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 engine with around 429 horsepower and a beefy 516 lb-ft of torque. The keen-eyed among you will notice that the eight-pot is down in displacement by almost a full liter, but still manages to crank out 47 more horsepower and a massive 125 lb-ft of torque compared to last year's powerplant. Isn't progress great?

All of that extra grunt means the CL550 4MATIC can scoot to 60 mph in a scant 4.9 seconds, but that's nothing compared to the big-boy CL600. The range-topping coupe can click off the dash to 60 mph in a mere 4.5-seconds - that's within spitting distance of a base Chevrolet Corvette. If you're trying to wrap your brain around how a 4,900-pound two-door can manage to bend the laws of nature, look no further than the 510 horsepower, 612 lb-ft of torque 5.5-liter V12 lurking beneath the sheetmetal. Yeah, that'll do. Hit the jump for the full press release, and sit tight for live photos from the car's debut at this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: Details and pics aplenty

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: Details and pics aplenty originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari Boss Felisa: "Hybrid means we can protect the V12"

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Technology, Ferrari

Ferrari 599 HY-KERS - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the Eighties, you wanted your MTV. Now that you're a little older and a lot richer, you want your naturally aspirated V12 Italian cars, and both Ferrari and Lamborghini plan to deliver. The raging bulls at Sant' Agata are incorporating more lightweight materials into their cars in order to get over emissions hurdles, but Ferrari has different plans, likely including a road-going iteration of its kinetic energy recovery system, as seen fitted to its 599 HY-KERS concept car at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

According to Autocar's quote from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, "Hybrid means we can protect the V12," suggesting Ferrari believes its unassisted 12-cylinder will live on. Autocar's theory is that the next Enzo could see its V12 paired with an electric motor to keep the government watchdogs happy. Of course, this contradicts Autocar's Ferrari piece from about ten days ago when, after speaking with Felisa, it wrote, "Felisa also hinted that the new Ferrari Enzo will be powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V8 when it is launched in 2012."

It could be that Ferrari will use a naturally aspirated V12, only not in the Enzo - the F40 was a V8 while the Testarossa/512 received the big-engine treatment. Frankly, we're all for a hybrid Enzo, though. Provided they can keep the weight down, a silent supercar at low speeds with 600-plus horses that could bolt at a half-second's notice would make the most awesome getaway car ever.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS

Live Photos: Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari Boss Felisa: "Hybrid means we can protect the V12" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Hear the angels sing: revving the Aston Martin One-77

Jonny Lieberman — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Aston Martin, UK, Luxury

Aston Martin One-77 - Click above image to hear the video

On Friday we brought you our gushing reaction to the $1.8 million Aston Martin One-77. We were able to stick our snouts over, under and inside the vehicle and it's simply bonkers. Bonkers in the very best way possible. Just a reminder -- the carbon fiber frame also doubles as a feeder for the intake plenums. Ridiculous. Almost as cool: the way the 7.3-liter V12 rockets up its rev range. It's something you simply have to hear to understand. Luckily, we found some video of the reveal party that includes the sound and the fury. After the jump, fast forward to about the 5:00 mark. trust us, you won't believe your ears. There's also a second video, so you can check out some more 360-degree shots of the ultimate Aston.

Gallery: Aston Martin One-77 at Galpin Motors

[Source: Motorator.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Hear the angels sing: revving the Aston Martin One-77

VIDEO: Hear the angels sing: revving the Aston Martin One-77 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin taking on the Nürburgring 24-Hour enduro in V12 Vantage

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Aston Martin

Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above for a high-res image

Aston Martin is returning to the grid for the 37th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race, and joining "Rose" - the yellow V8 Vantage that's clocked over 20,000 miles on the track and campaigned in every enduro since 2006 - will be Aston's latest model, the V12 Vantage.

According to Aston, the Nordschleife-bound V12 didn't need much in the way of modifications to make it ready for race day. The Vantage underwent a weight reduction program primarily comprised of ditching its luxurious interior in favor of a full roll cage and the required safety equipment, along with a re-tuned suspension and Pirelli P Zero Circuit Racing slicks. Otherwise, the 510-hp V12 powerplant remains unchanged and the bodywork is the same as the production model due to go on sale later this year.

This will be AM's fourth consecutive campaign at the Nürburgring, and joining some of the company's engineering team behind the wheel will be Aston Martin's CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez. The race gets underway on May 23, and if you want more information about the race, you can check out the ADAC website and Aston's press release below the fold.

Continue reading Aston Martin taking on the Nürburgring 24-Hour enduro in V12 Vantage

Aston Martin taking on the Nürburgring 24-Hour enduro in V12 Vantage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:17:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Aston Martin

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage has arrived and yes, you want one. Evolving the styling and engineering exercise Aston unveiled in 2007 and set for a Geneva Motor Show debut, the blokes Gaydon claim the V12 Vantage is the most driver-focused sports car the automaker has ever produced.

Power is provided by a 6.0-liter V12 putting out 510 hp at 6,500 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,750 rpm. The Vantage's new-found grunt is sent through a carbon fiber driveshaft to a rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox. The transmission benefits from an oil cooler and a new rear diffuser helps cool the standard limited slip differential. Aston claims a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds and top speed of 190 mph.

Independent double wishbones are mounted fore and aft, while six-piston calipers squeeze 398mm (15.67-inch) carbon ceramic discs in front and four-piston units clamp down on 360 mm (14.17-inch) ceramic rotors in the rear. The front wheels measure 19x9-inches and the rears 19x11-inches, each wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber sized 255/35 and 295/30, respectively.

Inside, carbon fiber door pulls join a host of standard features, while lightweight, carbon-kevlar seats, personalized sill plates and a premium audio system are optional.

The V12 Vantage features spring rates 80% stiffer in front and 45% stiffer in the rear, allowing the coupe to hit up to 1.3 lateral gs. The V12 mill weighs almost 200 pounds more than the V8, but after the Aston got done tweaking the Vantage, the overall increase was a paltry 110 pounds. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect each of the 1,000 V12 Vantages Aston plans to produce to fetch a princely sum. All the details are available in the press release below the fold.

Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed

Geneva Preview: Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Audi Q7 V12 TDI

Alex Nunez — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:37:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Audi

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Audi Q7 V12 TDI

The Audi Q7 V12 TDI is set to launch (but not here in the U.S.), and it's just the thing to give that annoying neighbor with his fancy VW Touareg V10 TDI a debilitating inferiority complex. 500 horsepower and approximately enough torque to counter-rotate the Earth (758 lb-ft) come standard on Audi's diesel monster. 21-inch wheels mask carbon ceramic brakes, LED running lamps help light the way, and the interior is a festival of dead cow, TV screens, and Alcantara, all trimmed neatly in aluminum and carbon fiber. If we were, say, Russian gangsters, we'd totally be driving one of these. (Except Neff, who would undoubtedly, stubbornly continue rolling in the Alero.) In conjunction with the launch, Audi dumped a slew of new pictures on its media site, so here they are. Click away.

Gallery: Audi Q7 V12 TDI

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Audi Q7 V12 TDI

Pics Aplenty: Audi Q7 V12 TDI originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW slashes V8 engine production in favor of fours

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW

The new BMW 7-Series has just stepped out from behind the curtain, and it's taken the stage to a house only half full. Demand for BMW's big engines has dropped so low that the house of the roundel says it can make enough 8-bangers to satisfy the world's demand using just one shift for four days.

A member of BMW's supervisory board put it plainly: "We are producing the wrong engines here." Even the sixes, the center of BMW's engine constellation, are being taken out of production in Munich to be replaced by those with two fewer cylinders in 2011. When the phase-out is complete, the company will be able to build 560,000 4-cylinders per annum. Care for a BMW 716i, anyone?

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

BMW slashes V8 engine production in favor of fours originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Mustang gets Aston Martin Vanquish V12

Chris Shunk — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Coupe, Videos, Aston Martin, Ford

Click above to view video after jump

For decades, the Ford Mustang has been a symbol of affordable performance. While the average GT will still run you less than $30,000, for many that is merely the starting point. Next is the booming Ford Mustang aftermarket business, where you can beef up every square inch of your ponycar. One item not commonly found in a Ford Racing catalog is an Aston Martin Vanquish V12 engine, but after hearing one in the engine bay of a beautiful blue stallion, we think that problem should be corrected.

Hit the jump to view video of a very well-modified Mustang that has the face of a GT500, the butt of a Saleen, and the heart of an Aston. If you thought the throaty V8 of a stock GT was music to your ears, the silky smooth symphony coming from the Vanquish V12 is better than Bach. The best part of the video comes about a minute in when the snugly-packed V12 reveals itself for the first time. Is it just us or is a real Mustang with an Aston motor a hundred times better than a 'Stang with a Vanquish body?

UPDATE: Video after the jump fixed.

[Source: Streetfire]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mustang gets Aston Martin Vanquish V12

VIDEO: Mustang gets Aston Martin Vanquish V12 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Secret's V12 Supra heading to Nardo for top speed run

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Performance, Japan, Toyota

There have been a fair number of tuners that have made the trek to the Nardo test track in Italy to see if their modified rides could break an illustrious top speed. The MTM Bimoto TT comes to mind, as does AC Schnitzer's GP3.10 3-series, Edo Competition's Lamborghini LP640 and 9ff's insane GT9. Another contender has been added to the list and it's just as impressive as the rest.

Top Secret has been making the show rounds with its twin-turbo'd V12 Supra for the past year, but it's finally putting its money where its mouth is and going for a top speed of 400 km/h (248 mph) later this year in Italy. Breaching 200 km/h hasn't been an issue since the boosted 6.0-liter V12 is supposedly pushing out over 1,000 hp.

You can read up on Kazuhiko "Smoky" Nagata's golden boy here and check a Japanese-language video of the Supra after the jump.

[Source: Kulitivate, Photo by Bulletproof Automotive]

Continue reading Top Secret's V12 Supra heading to Nardo for top speed run

Top Secret's V12 Supra heading to Nardo for top speed run originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoWeek picks Best of Show and honors others from Detroit

Dan Roth — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Truck, Supercars, Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford

Here's a way to create content long after an auto show has ended, dream up a list of editorial favorite picks. Well, what the hell, we might as well be meta and report on the anti-news. Here we go blithely. AutoWeek handed out its Editors' Choice awards for the North American International Auto Show at its Design Forum on Wednesday. We can debate the relevance, but we'd rather just talk about the cars. The four vehicles that AutoWeek thought were the bee's knees are as follows:

Most Fun: Audi R8 V12 TDI
Best Concept: Cadillac CTS Coupe
Most Significant: 2009 Ford F150
Best of Show: 2009 Corvette ZR1

As Linda Richman would say: discuss.

[Source: AutoWeek]

AutoWeek picks Best of Show and honors others from Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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