Tag: Aston Martin

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New Mercedes S-Class Coupe | New CL Coupe?

Today Mercedes released a video of the upcoming S-Class Coupe concept. The S-Class Coupe is not something new, it is going to replace the CL-Class. As the new branding strategy of the Mercedes, they started to use Coupe word like E-Coupe, S-Coupe and leaving the CLK and CL brands.
New S-Coupe or S-Class Coupe will be based on the existing S-Class with two less doors. They might be a diesel engine option but I don’t think so. Because, Mercedes is trying to compete with Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari and Maserati with S-Class Coupe and these competitors do not offer diesel engines.
Anyway, the S-Class Coupe concept looks like beautiful but it is not production vehicle, so there will be minor and major changes. And also, S-Class Coupe will not be as boring as S-Class thanks to different customer audience but still a Mercedes, not a Bentley.
Photos Credits
Mercedes
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Cars

Royal Mail British Auto Legends Stamps Delivery with a Jaguar E-Type

Royal Mail Auto Legends stamps. If you haven’t heard about this, it is the limited edition of stamps from Royal Mail to congratulate the iconic cars of British automotive industry. Personally, I am not a stamp collector but when I saw these stamps on internet, I was really excited to see them live.

Hopefully, Royal Mail was very kind to send me. However, the sending process was totally different from what I thought. Honestly, I was expecting to receive the stamps via Royal Mail special delivery inside an envelope. And Royal Mail thought that, it is a bit boring way to delivery the stamps and they decided to use a red Jaguar E-Type for the delivery. I am not joking, Royal Mail arrived to my home with a red Jaguar E-Type to deliver these stamps. However, the story did not finish here!

The stamps were not inside an envelope, they were inside a bespoke made engraved red toolbox. Literally, this was the best PR campaign I have ever seen. The whole process was fantastic and left a great memory to remember in future.

Anyway, let’s go back to British Auto Legends stamps. The stamps feature; Jaguar E-Type — 1961, MG MGB — 1962, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow — 1965, Morgan Plus 8 — 1968, Aston Martin DB5 — 1963, and Lotus Esprit — 1976.

And the prices for British Auto Legends stamps start from as low as £5.64! And it will be a great collectors’ item in future. For the record, never send me an email to buy these stamps in year 2053. I am pretty sure that, I will at least a half-century and instead asking to buy the stamps from me. Go and buy them now :)

You can buy the British Auto Legends stamps from Royal Mail’s online store.

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Cars

The Future of Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz

The future of Aston Martin after Mercedes-Benz AMG. Many people may not have heard the recent business deal with the Mercedes-Benz AMG and the Aston Martin. The news is Mercedes-Benz AMG made business agreement with Aston Martin to provide electronics, telematics systems, engines and other things.

I mentioned about this future marriage in my blog couple of weeks ago. And it is not a surprise at all, there was rumour of Mercedes and Aston Martin business deal for nearly half a decade and now they finalise it.

Why Aston Martin needs +Mercedes-Benz? Very simple! +Aston Martin does not have enough cash to improve their cars and offer new technology and comfort features. You can easily understand this from the technological features of any Aston Martin, they are old! Aston Martin cannot offer seat ventilation, radar guided cruise control, pre-crash technology, seat massage, and new engines. However, Aston Martin offers the most authentic brand in automotive industry.

On the other hand Mercedes can offer any type of technology you can imagine or you cannot even imagine. However, the problem with Mercedes, their craftsmanship is not as close as to Aston Martin, their design is a bit boring, and Mercedes is not cool at all. When you add all these issues together and the sum is, Mercedes cannot offer a competitive vehicle for Bentley and Rolls Royce. And Maybach brand was failed really badly. So, Mercedes needs a British brand to find a place at the ultra luxury segment and this can be achieved only by engaging with Aston Martin.

In future, Mercedes may buy the whole Aston Martin and it can be placed under the Daimler AG! And after that, we will see cars that never existed before. Can you imagine the Aston Martin Rapide with the new Mercedes S-Class technologies! I mean that would be fantastic, you have all the technology you need in a car and it is packed with a state-of-art craftsmanship with a way better design.

Don’t be shocked if Mercedes buy the whole Aston Martin and that’s not a bad idea either.

Photos Credits
Mercedes, Aston Martin
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Cars

Aston Martin V12 Zagato from London

Aston Martin V12 Zagato is the product of 50 years in collaboration with the +Aston Martin  and Zagato. V12 Zagato is a very unique Aston Martin, I know most of the Aston Martins are unique but Zagatos are really rare. Hopefully, I had chance to spot one at Mayfair, London. 
Aston Martin V12 Zagato is based on Aston Martin V12 Vantange, a tiny Aston Martin with a V12 engine. Zagato is hand crafted at Aston Martin factory at Gaydon delivers a very distinctive look. Especially the Zagato’s interpretation of the existing Aston Martin designed vanished the photocopy look of the Aston Martin V12 Vantange.
The uniqueness of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato is the 2000 man-hours of craftsmanship, exquisite detailing. Despite these existing notes from the Zagato, I still don’t get the point of offering manual gearbox!
Anyway, Aston Martin V12 Zagato is powered by a 6-lt V12 engine with 510 HP and 570 Nm of torque. Engine is coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox and only needs 4.2 seconds to  reach 100 km/h with the top speed of 305 km/h.

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Cars

Why Mercedes-Benz needs Aston Martin? | The Future of Aston Martin

Why Mercedes-Benz needs Aston Martin? I would like to keep this article short and simple. Mercedes-Benz has been trying to gather a market in ultra luxury segment for more than a decade, started with the reboot of the Maybach brand. Mercedes-Benz tried their best to create an ultra luxury brand with the Maybach but due to using same structure with the W220 S-Class and lack of adequate sophistication, Maybach could not keep with Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

What I mean by sophistication? Basically, Maybach never offered the same hand built car experience like Bentley or Rolls Royce. The amount of plastic used in interior and exterior were beyond the acceptable level. And the huge resemblance with the S-Class W220 completed the picture.

Now, Volkswagen Group owns Bentley and Bugatti. BMW owns Rolls Royce and Mini. And Mercedes-Benz or Daimler Group own literally nothing in ultra luxury market. There is no brand under the Daimler Group or Mercedes-Benz to compete with Bentley, Rolls Royce or Bugatti. And Mercedes-Benz knows that their product range is not capable of running at the same pace with the iconic hand built British automotive icons.

And there is one option is left! Buying the Aston Martin. This sounds too rough! And also hinders many potential problems. Instead of that Mercedes-Benz is going to develop the relationship through engine manufacturing and automotive technology sharing. Because, Aston Martin purchases the V8 and V12 engines from the Ford and Aston Martin doesn’t have enough money to develop sophisticated automotive technologies. On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz burns more than €1-billion to R&D and have a lot technologies that are years above their competitors. But it is still Mercedes-Benz.

Harmonising the technology of Mercedes-Benz with the soul of the Aston Martin will reveal a very strong competitor to Bentley and Rolls Royce.

This article represents my own personal views. It does not advice, consult, suggest or predict an investment suggestion, or business strategy to be used for an investment. I do not provide consultantcy or service for any type of investment or similar advices. 
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Cars

Aston Martin Cygnet for #PinItForwardUK

Aston Martin Cygnet, as known as the small Aston Martin or Aston Martin based on Toyota iQ. Whatever you call Cygnet, it is sold in Aston Martin dealers with a reasonable price tag. I barely had chance to see a Cygnet, since it was revealed. The main reason for this, Cygnet is an expensive small Aston Martin based on a Toyota, and people want to own a proper Aston Martin.

Despite all the negative reviews and opinions on Cygnet, I still like Cygnet. However, it is only in terms of design. Aston Martin managed to transfer its design culture to this small vehicle. And when you see the Cygnet, you easily understand it is an Aston Martin. This is the same for interior as well. Cygnet’s interior is full of leather and stiches, which is quite rare to spot inside a small Toyota. Even though some of the parts are the same Toyota, you still feel the Aston Martin design culture.

I still consider Aston Martin Cygnet under the fashion item or luxury handbag. Its design and price to functionality resemble with the expensive handbags.

Aston Martin Cygnet is powered by a 1.3-lt petrol engine with 98 HP and 125 Nm of torque. It is coupled with a CVT automatic gearbox. Cygnet needs 11.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h with the top speed of 170 km/h.

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Cars

New BMW 8-Series | Gran Lusso

New BMW 8-Series, Gran Lusso. In 1990s, BMW 8-Series was one of the ground breaking GT cars on the market. And true competitor of Mercedes S-Coupe or CL-Class. However, BMW did not pursued to manufacture 8-Series and stop the production in 1999. In those years, GT car market was not that strong. Also, consumers were not that interested on GT cars, it was a very very niche market. Mercedes CL survived from that market but 8-Series could not.
BMW recently revealed the Gran Lusso (Designed by Pininfarina) concept car in Villa d’Este. Gran Lusso is one of the best looking cars in the market! I know this is a very bold statement but, I did not see any car more attractive and more beautiful. The interior of the Gran Lusso is magnificent. Even the new S-Class and the Aston Martin look out-dated. There will be a new CL or S-Coupe coming soon but if BMW manufactures the Gran Lusso as the new 8-Series, the fundamentals of GT market will change.
This concept car is powered by a V12 engine from 7-Series with 544 HP and 750Nm.


Photos Credits
BMW
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Cars

New Aston Martin DB9 | #PinItForwardUK

New Aston Martin DB9! Actually, I cannot say it is a brand new DB9, it is a heavy facelift! Aston Martin revised the existing DB9. 6-lt V12 engine now produces 517 HP / 620 Nm, 0 – 100 acceleration is 4.6 seconds and 15 kg lighter. The revision on DB9 can be seen inside the car as well. The interior materials are improved, there are more matte aluminium, and more leather.

DB9 is still a very good GT car, the competitors are now stronger than ever but DB9 still has its own character. Aston Martin DB9 is a different taste, some people may like it and some people may not. But it doesn’t mean that DB9 is a bad car, it is only different.

And don’t forget to check Pinterest, for #PintItForwardUK!

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Cars

Aston Martin CC100 Concept Similarities with SLR Stirling Moss and Smart Crossblade

Aston Martin CC100, the latest concept car from Aston Martin, which resemble to McLaren Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss Edition! Aston Martin CC100 is powered by V12 6-lt traditional Aston Martin engine with six-speed automatic gearbox. CC100 needs less than 4 seconds to reach 100 km/h and the top speed is 290 km/h.
Unfortunately, the distinctive design of CC100 is not that original for me. When I first saw the CC100, my brain recalled the SLR Stirling Moss Edition unconsciously. CC100 is a visionary car with the inspiration from 1950s LeMans racers. Therefore, CC100 and SLR Stirling Moss resemble that much. However, I cannot avoid the second resemble of CC100 with Smart Crossblade. Just have a look at the door panel CC100 and Smart Crossblade. They both have the same design of hole!
I am sure many people will go and buy the CC100 despite these design similarities.


Photos Credits
Smart, Aston Martin, Mercedes
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Cars

Dubai Police Fleet Cars: Mercedes SLS AMG, Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin One-77, Lamborghini Aventador!

Dubai Police Fleet Cars: Mercedes SLS AMG, Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin One-77, Lamborghini Aventador! Recently, Dubai Police revealed their new high speed chasing fleet cars on their Twitter account. Thus, the Dubai Police now owns the fastest police fleet in the world. If you are intending to break any traffic rule in Dubai, keep in mind these cars are really really fast!

I assume the next stage of this fleet will be adding the new jet fighter F35!

Mercedes SLS AMG: 6.2-lt V8 | 572 HP | 650 Nm torque | 0 – 100 km/h 3.8 seconds | 317 km/h
Bentley Continental GT: 6-lt W12 | 575 HP | 700 Nm torque | 0 – 100 km/h 4.5 seconds | 318 km/h
Aston Martin One-77: 7.3-lt V12 | 750 HP | 750 Nm torque | 0 – 100 km/h 3.7 seconds | > 354 km/h
Lamborghini Aventador: 6.5-lt V12 | 700 HP | 690 Nm torque | 0 – 100 km/h 2.9 seconds | 350 km/h