LUXURY sports car maker Aston Martin is famed for producing a string of beautiful – and cool – automobiles and its latest offering looks like continuing the trend.

Fresh from selling a DB10 from the latest Bond spectacular, SPECTRE for a mere £2.4m at auction, the Warwickshire company has now unveiled the DB11.

As the DB10 was a special edition produced entirely for the Bond film, the DB11 cannot be described as its successor. However, it will replace the outgoing DB9.

(See Video Below)

The Gaydon company used the platform of the 86th International Geneva Motor Show to show off the car, although glimpses of it have been seen before.

It is the first product launched under the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan, details of which were announced last year.

The DB11 will be produced at the Gaydon plant, rather than the new site ion wales announced last month, which will focus on the company’s new crossover model and an electric RapidE.

While showcasing a fresh and distinctive design language, the DB11 is still unmistakably an Aston Martin.

Under the pioneering aerodynamics beats a potent new in-house designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Built upon a new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure, the DB11 will be the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamic DB model in the company’s history.

As such, the company has billed it the most significant new Aston Martin since the introduction of the DB9 in 2003.

It’s also the most dynamic and most accelerative, with a top speed of 200mph and a 0-62mph time of just 3.9sec.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer said: “We aspire to make the most beautiful cars in the world.  DB11 is the absolute embodiment of what an Aston Martin should be and we have worked tirelessly to ensure that DB11 combines both exceptional design with the latest technology throughout. A brand new bonded aluminium platform, clever aerodynamics, a new characterful twin-turbo V12 and class-leading infotainment systems are just a few aspects which make this the sports car that will proudly spearhead Aston Martin’s second century plan.”

For anyone with a spare £154,900 (which is actually the starting price), the car is now available for order with first deliveries scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2016.
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New flagship sets sail for BMW

BMW has also chosen the Geneva show to unveil a lot of new toys.

It is using the show as the world premiere of its new BMW M760Li xDrive, which it says will raise the bar in the sporting luxury sedan segment and will act as the flagship of the 7 Series range.

It features the first ever M Performance TwinPower Turbo12-cylinder petrol engine, which will generate a whopping 448 kW/610 hp and will; be capable of propelling the car from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds – faster than the DB11!

There is a penalty; fuel consumption combined will be 22.4 mpg, while CO2 emissions come in at 294 g/km.

On a greener note, the show will also be a stage for the new iPerformance model designation, which will be given to all BMW plug-in hybrid vehicles from July 2016.

BMW said this provided a visible indicator of the transfer of technology from BMW i to the BMW core brand. It will be seen first on the plug-in hybrid variants of the new BMW 7 Series – the BMW 740e iPerformance.

The iPerformance models will benefit from the transfer of technical expertise regarding electric motors, battery cells and electronic control systems. Visible indicators, meanwhile, are a BMW i logo on the front side panel, BMW i-style blue elements in the kidney grille and wheel hubs, and an eDrive logo on the C-pillar.
 
Customers can also make use of the BMW i 360° ELECTRIC range of products and services, including the BMW i Wallbox.

The show will also feature the new BMW M2 complete with BMW M Performance Parts. A wide variety of components are now available for the compact high- performance sports car which enhance its dynamics and individualise its design.

The BMW i8 Protonic Red Editionspecial-edition model will also be displayed and highlights its success on various fronts. BMW i has achieved the largest market presence of any premium supplier of electric vehicles worldwide and offers the world’s only car with a certified carbon footprint in the shape of the BMW i3.

On the connectivity front, BMW ConnectedDrive will be showing off the On-Street Parking Information intelligent search function – which helps drivers to locate a free parking space in cities more quickly – and other services.

A Hard Day’s Night for classic Jaguar

JAGUAR lovers may want to hide under the stairs or cry floods of tears when they look at this picture. What a cruel way to treat a motoring icon!

However, hope is at hand.

The car in question is a 1963 Jaguar E-Type and it was found under a hedge in the village of Bisley in Surrey, neglected and unloved.

However, it could be destined for a new home as it goes under the hammer next week at an auction in London.

Auctioneers COYS believes that even in its current condition, the car could sell for thousands of pounds.

E-Types have become extremely popular with collectors over the last couple of years and this car, which shows just 44,870 miles on the clock and still has the last tax disc on the windscreen which expired in November 1969, is already attracting attention from around the world.

“It is ideal for restoration and is extremely rare,” said valuer James Good of COYS, “It has a great history, including racing, which collectors love.”

The car’s first owner in May 1963 was Ivor Arbiter. Ivor owned Drum City and Sound City in London and was at the centre of the 60s music scene. He was the designer of the ‘drop – T’ logo for The Beatles.

The band’s manager Brian Epstein requested their name appear on the bass drum so Arbiter sketched the “drop-T” logo on a scrap of paper with the capital B and dropped T to emphasize the word ‘beat’.  Drum City was paid £5 for the design and it was hand painted by local sign writer, Eddie Stokes, who painted bass-drum heads for the store during his lunch hour.

James said: “The Beatles logo is now recognised as one of the most significant and widely reproduced logos in history, and the fact that it was designed by the first owner of this E-Type is not insignificant.”

The car changed owners a couple of times between 1965 and 1967, when it moved to its last owner Frank Riches. Frank was a keen motorsport enthusiast and raced both the E-Type and his MGTF at Oulton Park, Brands Hatch and Blackbushe between 1967 and 1969. Frank would drive the E-type to the circuit with the MG behind and would then race both cars and drive home.

James added: “This wonderful Series 1, 3.8 E-Type is in original condition, with matching numbers and has never been restored.  It retains all the features it carried in 1969 and is possibly one of the most original examples remaining today. The car needs a total restoration but it has all the ingredients to make a superb car – this is a true rarity!”

This fantastic E-Type comes with its original brown log book, V5 and V5C, its last MOT certificate dated November 1968, the sales invoice to Frank Riches for £855 along with the Heritage Certificate confirming all the important details.  It also has its original Operating Maintenance & Service Handbook, Service Manual and Spare Parts Catalogue and the original jack.

COYS Spring Classics auction takes place at the Royal Horticultural Society, Lindley Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, next Tuesday (March 8) at 7pm.