Geneva International Motor Show 2015 in Pictures - Aston Martin Concept DBX

Source: http://www.salon-auto.ch

Read more ...

ASTON MARTIN DBX CONCEPT CHALLENGES CONVENTION

Aston Martin DBX Concept

Aston Martin today challenges the nature of luxury GT travel in the 21st Century with the debut at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show of the innovative DBX Concept.

Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment, the DBX Concept widens the appeal of the iconic British luxury brand and reaches out to a more diverse global audience than ever before.

Unveiling the concept, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “The DBX Concept is a challenge to the existing status quo in the high luxury GT segment. It envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible.

“I asked my team at Aston Martin to expand their thinking beyond conventions, to explore what the future of luxury GT motoring would look like in years ahead, and the DBX Concept you see before you is the result.”

Dr Palmer added: “This is, clearly, not a production-ready sports GT car, but it is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about what Aston Martin GT customers around the world could request of us in the future.

“The DBX Concept is more than a thought starter for us and for our customers, though. We will, in due course, be entering a car into the new DBX space and I am very much looking forward to seeing how this concept is received not only here today, but also by our legion of existing loyal customers and by those potential customers around the world who have, to this point, yet to consider one of our cars.”

Harmonious design

Imagined by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and his team at the brand’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, the all-electric DBX Concept showcases not only cutting edge engineering but also a major evolution of the British brand’s world-renowned and highly-regarded design language.

Clearly signalling an extension to the brand’s existing model lines in the future, the all-wheel drive DBX Concept seamlessly combines traditional Aston Martin beauty with elegant new engineering that gracefully aligns form and function.

Capable of accommodating four adults in comfort, the DBX Concept also majors on day-to-day practicality. It offers generous luggage capacity by virtue of the fact that its rear trunk and forward load bay can both accept passengers’ belongings.

Opulence and cutting edge style go hand-in-hand in the DBX Concept thanks to a unique fusion of high luxury and advanced technology. These characteristics, allied to the ingenious use of unconventional materials and finishes inside and out, are calculated to further broaden the appeal of Aston Martin.

The concept’s exterior bright work emphasises the brand’s approach to the use of authentic materials, and is made up of machined billet aluminium with visible milling lines in a piece of exquisite craftsmanship intended to be seen as the car’s jewellery. The DBX Concept’s unique paint finish – Black Pearl Chromium – has been specially created to mimic the look of a genuine black pearl, and comprises a micro-fine layer of chrome to deliver a level of reflectivity that cannot be obtained through normal paint finishes.

Inside, the deliberate use of non-automotive standard materials generates a uniquely soft, cocooning ambience. The extensive application of velvet-like Nubuck leather contrasts with the concept’s hard, hi-tech equipment. The exposed leather reveals a sandwiched accent layer, more akin to high-end furniture, while the car’s interior bright ware matches that of the exterior with the addition of a gold ‘pin striping’ element on the edging.

Marek Reichman explained: “The exceptional craftsmanship, with detailing more typically seen on luxury consumer goods or fine jewellery, gives the DBX Concept genuinely global appeal.”

Experimental engineering

Embracing the very latest engineering techniques and theories, the DBX Concept needs no engine compartment thanks to its use of electric, inboard-of-wheel, motors powered by lithium sulphur cells.

Drive-by-wire electric steering, toughened glass with an auto-dimming ‘smart glass’ inter-layer, and bespoke driver and passenger head-up displays are further examples of its cutting edge technology.

Active LED exterior lights, carbon ceramic brakes with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and rear view cameras in place of conventional mirrors also underline the mould-breaking nature of this luxury GT concept.

Dr Palmer explained: “A concept car such as this should, in my view, challenge conventional thinking and explore the art of the possible. In the DBX Concept, I believe we have created a new type of luxury car that can not only broaden the appeal of Aston Martin to a whole new generation of customers, but sit with pride alongside the rest of our range."

Source: Aston Martin Press

Read more ...

ASTON MARTIN DEFINES THE ROAD AHEAD FOR ITS SECOND CENTURY

Aston Martin is confidently looking toward the future at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show, as CEO Dr Andy Palmer leads the luxury British brand into a bold new era reaching far into the next decade.

The global unveiling of the Aston Martin DBX Concept in Switzerland today signals a key change in the brand’s thinking, as Dr Palmer challenges his team to re-evaluate and expand the high luxury GT sector in the years ahead.

Dr Palmer said: “The Geneva show this year marks the first public signs of a revolution at Aston Martin – a revolution we’re calling ‘Second Century’.

“While the exceptional new Aston Martin Vulcan track-only supercar and Vantage GT3 special edition road car represent a take on our immediate future, the exciting DBX Concept is Aston Martin’s first public statement about how the high luxury GT sector could, and in our view should, evolve in the years to come.”

He added: “The DBX Concept is our view on ‘the art of the possible’ for Aston Martin. DBX may be seen as challenging and perhaps even revolutionary in some quarters – but it is not science fiction. I can confirm today that we will in the future be offering a car in the new DBX space.”

Looking to the future

Having marked his first 150 days as CEO last week, Dr Palmer is using his first major global motor show at the head of the 102-year-old sports car maker to showcase his comprehensive strategy for the ongoing growth and development of the renowned British brand.  The plan will ensure Aston Martin is secure and successful in its second century and Dr Palmer detailed the developmental and organisational actions that will underpin continued success.

Dr Palmer revealed Aston Martin’s regional office structure is also being enhanced this year with a new office for Asia-Pacific opening in Singapore, a new trading company in Japan and the brand’s European presence strengthened at its regional headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

The company is continuing to invest in progressive expansion of its geographical coverage. Today, Aston Martin is present in 45 markets worldwide, served by 155 top class dealer partners.

There is also important news in Geneva about the expansion of the recently-unveiled Lagonda Taraf super-saloon to markets outside the Middle East. Dr Palmer confirmed that the luxurious new car will be available in the EU, and EU-regulation compliant markets. He also revealed that buyers in the UK, and other right-hand drive markets, will now be able to order the Lagonda Taraf.

Bespoke brilliance

This year, the brand will expand its popular and growing bespoke personalisation service – Q by Aston Martin – and fully integrate it into the company’s Special Products Division. The new business unit will be able to deliver anything from unique interiors to creating the DB10 that will feature in the next James Bond film.

Many of the sports cars built at Gaydon feature elements of Q by Aston Martin content, and the opportunity to grow that further is clear as the brand focuses even more intently on personalised customer service.

Dr Palmer said: “Often cynics dismiss talk of a ‘new era’ in any business as hype but I know the cars we have on show here today at Geneva, along with the major work that’s ongoing in the UK and around the world to re-tool and re-equip our business for the exciting times ahead, more than merits the use of the phrase.

“Aston Martin has a proud 102-year heritage of luxury sports cars and, with the exciting plans we now have in place that put customers once again at the very heart of our thinking and our operations, I’m confident it will continue to shine as a luxury business in the decades ahead.”

Source: Aston Martin Press

Read more ...

Spotted the bull god: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Strikingly fast, cruises like a fighter jet, sounds like a missile: is what the Lamborghini Aventador does when it’s on the road. Just imagine, what Rajni Kanth would tell if he sees this bull? Ans: The bull, eats, sleeps and walks speed.

We have talked about the India launch of the car in the last quarter of 2011 by Exclusive Motors Pvt. Ltd, and now we see the bull raging across streets. Isn’t this the moment to cherish for all bull fighters?  Yes, bring it on!!!

The Lamborghini Aventador is a two-door, two-seater sports car from Lamborghini which was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The Aventador is a replacement of the ten-year-old Murciélago.

The Aventador LP700-4 is mated with a 6.5 liter V12 engine which unleashes uncensored power of 700bhp at 8250rpm. The bull is capable of reaching 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and can cruise at a top speed of around 350 km/h making the Aventador stand among the fastest street-legal cars in the world.

The Aventador name was chosen for its symbolic connection to fighting bulls, sharing a name with the legendary Aventador, a trophy-winning bull in the world of Spanish bullfighting.

Read more ...

Photos & Info: Mercedes-Benz E-350 Coupe

This exclusive Mercedes-Benz E-350 Coupe was hiding from the eyes of Exotics in India for quite some time now and we broke the wait today, as we spotted this elegantly looking rigid beast. Man, I adore this car!

The Coupe model of the E-Class was first premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. E-coupe is for the first time distinctly different from its sedan stablemate, though it is based on the sedan, the design shows various distinctions, a good example is the headlamps, which exhibit a more exclusive nature, as are the rear light clusters with more sporty design.

The Mercedes-Benz E-350 Coupe comes with a new 302-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine combining numerous advances to deliver more torque over a wider range of rpm.

Exterior

The exterior styling of the E-350 Coupe is alluring, especially when the four windows are down, the car gives you a feel of the CLS amongst the E class styling.

Interior

A quick glance through the window and I was amazed to see the details and the appearance, like its set to seduce the occupant. There was plenty of room in the front, however, the occupants on back seats would certainly complain on long trips.

The Mercedes-Benz E-350 Coupe is truly is a unique car, the designers at MB have spent great man-hours managing airflow through, under and around the E-class segment, as a result which makes it the world's most aerodynamically shaped car in the world.

Read more ...