The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante is undoubtably handsome. In fact there is a strong argument for it being the most beautiful car of this year with its blend of elegant lines and muscular details. Aston Martin are launching a special edition of this car at the LA motor show in celebration of the cars American launch. You could say it is something of a royal affair…
Inspired by the Prince of Wales’ Aston Martin DB6, last seen at the royal wedding, this Vanquish Volante Neiman Marcus Edition sports the same Seychelles Blue paint. Only 10 of these V12 GT cars will be built by Aston Martin’s Q customisation division. The cars interior feature a steering wheel from the One-77 and a walnut dashboard.
If you are fast enough to nab one of these limited edition cars it will set you back £214,300.
The Fiat 500 is a motoring icon. From past to present it has been popular with the masses, much like the Mini. This Italian “peoples car” has a cult following… I even have a Friend who did a road trip in Italy specifically with a 500! Todays Fiat 500 is a massive sales success with its compact shape, modern styling and just enough retro to make it fashionable. The launch of this 1957 Edition means that our retro-detector is reading off of the chart.
Celebrating 57 years of the Cinquecento, 500 in Italian, this car harks back to the original. The vintage appearance comes courtesy of some new chrome trim, retro powder paint and hubcaps so large you could use them as a crash helmet. Powered by a 1.4 litre MultiAir engine, this 500 1957 Edition is also equipped with new engine mapping and sports suspension. 31MPG is the cars claimed economy.
Time to go back to the future or a indulge in a blast from the past? You decide.
Bugatti have a prestigious history that is intertwined with luxury machines and performance icons. These two qualities are clear for all to see in the Veyron that they produce today. Bugatti’s racing heritage is something the company is very proud of and the next car in their line-up of six “Legend” special editions continues to celebrate the past.
The third model in Bugatti’s Legends series is named the Meo Constantini after a double Targa Florio champion. Based upon the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, this car dons a beautiful French racing blue and polished aluminium colour combination. In my personal opinion it is the best looking Veyron thus far. The colour scheme mimics that of Meo’s Type 35. Inside the lavish interior sports various historical engravings including fantastic Type 35 sketch style embroidery in the door lining.
Just three of these 1,200BHP, £1,700,000 car will be produced.
Very few cars of late have created as much of a buzz amongst car enthusiasts as the Toyota GT86. The joint venture between Subaru and Toyota has produced a car that has all of its efforts pointed in the direction of driving pleasure. GT86’s don’t cost the Earth, are Toyota bullet proof and as previously mention, a riot to drive. TRD, or Toyota Racing Development as they are known in full, has got their hands on these fantastic sports cars producing a limited run of just 250 for the UK with a few added toys over the standard car. We have the keys to one of them…
Ok, the obvious question first. What is the difference between the standard car and this TRD model? The answer is not too much actually. Firstly there is that much more aggressive bodykit which fills out he profile of the car nicely and gives the machine a butch appearance. Next up are the wider Yokohama tyres in tandem with a set of shiny new alloy wheels. However, the most mechanical change you will find is the addition of a quad exhaust system. Now the 86 is a great car as standard and so not medaling with a successful formula is wise, that said the car could do with an extra 20 or 30BHP, something the TRD does not bring to the table. 197BHP, 0-62MPH in 7.6 seconds are unchanged from the standard car.
Approaching the TRD you get to admire that new slightly swollen body. It really does make it look like a serious bit of kit and does a very good job of separating it from the base car. The profile is sleek but this cars character is written all over it. It just screams rear wheel drive fun! Long bonnet, snug cockpit and a sort rear overhang are all things that get us petrol heads a bit excited.
Getting into the car and being hugged by those heavily bolstered seats puts you in the prime position to survey all of the things Toyota are getting right with this car. The dashboard is focused with the rev counted being placed centrally. Its console isn’t cluttered and just houses the necessities. Rear seating may be a bit of a squeeze but rest assured that there is space in the car to store four spare track tyres.
Hitting the starter button brings the GT86 TRD to life with those new exhausts giving the car a slightly deeper tone. Bumbling around town the GT86 is comfortable with a much more compliant ride than many competitors. The slightly larger alloys don’t thud into potholes and the steering is well weighted. Visibility is good allowing this car to be considered as a genuine daily driver. Picking up the pace, the GT86 shines bright with excellent handling and the most delicious gear changes. It just seems to leap from bend to bend like a deer, completely effortless in its function. The steering at speed is direct and full of feeling allowing accurate and rewarding corning capabilities. The new rubber is noticeable when directly comparing this car to the standard. Where the base model was quite loose around the hips, the TRD has more grip allowing for higher cornering speeds. A cheeky drift is still very possible, but you can feel that this car is a bit more about lap time and not getting an ASBO. Does that take some of the fun away from the GT86? Yes and no. Whilst going sideways in this car is intoxicating and clearly a very big selling point, the TRD has a bit more focus, that in my opinion, makes hitting an apex a bit more thrilling. Putting your foot to the floor reveals brisk acceleration but, as mentioned earlier, the 2.0 litre boxer could do with just a tad more power. Throttle response is sharper as the new exhaust system aids the engine to breath better.
The Toyota GT86 TRD is a brilliant car and a real wake up call to all those manufacturers who gave up on the affordable sports car. Every time I get behind the wheel of this car I leave it with a big dirty grin on my face. The TRD does demand a premium of £6,500 (making it £31,495) over the standard car and for that you get all of the previously mentioned extras and an exclusive spot in this one of 250 club. Is it worth the extra money? In short, no. The TRD is a fantastic machine but the price does leave me and many others thinking what would we do with a standard GT86 and a spare £6,500.
The Bugatti Veyron is well on its way to signing off on the last few pages in its chapter of automotive history. As production of this biblical machine winds down Bugatti are releasing several special edition cars to commemorate important figures throughout the brands history. The Wimille edition that celebrated the Le Mans winner of the same name is to be joined by 5 further cars, the latest of which is the “Jean Bugatti.”
Jean Bugatti, son of the companies founder, has been honoured with a special car that evokes one of his most famous designs, the Type 57 Atlantic. Finished in black carbon garnished with platinum grills this car exudes elegance. Based upon the record breaking Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, the performance of the car remains unchanged meaning that it has 1,200BHP on tap. Just three “Jean Bugatti” editions shall be built.
There is no denying that the Bugatti Veyron is one of the greatest technological master pieces of the past decade. A 250MPH, 1000BHP+ supercar for the road that has the tranquility of a Rolls-Royce? Yes please! However, Bugatti are beginning to wind down production of the legendary Veyron and in the process will produce some very special variants.
To be based upon the record breaking Grand Sport Vitesse model, Bugatti will build 6 special edition models celebrating people who have greatly contributed to the brands history. The first of these honors Jean-Pierre Wimille, a Bugatti racing driver who won Le Man in both 1937 and 1939. Finished in blue carbon, the car replicates Wimille’s racing colours. Other additions to this special edition include a unique interior and badging. The 1184BHP W16 engine remains untouched. Only 3 of these cars will be produced.
The Porsche 911 is to the automotive industry what evolution is to nature. 50 years of tickles and tweaks have produced a car that is one of the worlds ultimate driving machines. Both on track and on the road the 911 has been a huge success and so its 50th Birthday is indeed one of note. Amidst various celebrations Porsche have released a new special edition.
Named the Porsche 911 50 Years Edition, this car that is based upon the Carrera S receives some additions that hark back to the 911’s history. With a wider body and chrome detailing, not to mention a modern-day interpretation of those now famous rims, give this 991 911 a true visual link to its past. In the cockpit fabric seats and classic instrument panel welcome occupants. Powered by a 395BHP flat-six, 0-62MPH can be done and dusted in just 4.5 seconds in the manual and 4.3 in with the PDK option.
Porsche will produce just 1963 units, the year that the 911 came to be, in total each with a price tag of £92,257.
Aston Martin are celebrating 100 years of building some of the finest cars to ever grace tarmac. It is a big Birthday and so Aston has been treating itself with special cars such as the incredible CC100 Concept. Today the British brand has released a teaser video to preview what appears to be a new model. The heavily shadowed car give slight clues in its silhouette but nothing definitive. From what we can see it appears to be representative of a Vantage and also has similar bonnet grills to the V12 Vantage. Updated lights like those found on the Vanquish and an interior that would appear production ready suggests that whatever this car is, it isn’t far away… Our best guess? Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, perhaps a final swan song before the model reaches the end of its life.
“If it isn’t broken don’t fix it.” You will likely of heard that pearl of wisdom many times in your life, but how often do we really put it into practice? A new phone comes out but you buy it despite your current phone being more than adequate. Ladies often feel the sudden impulse to replace perfectly good shoes. Land Rover doesn’t have that attitude and certainly not towards its Defender. The ultimate in utilitarian mud-plugging has remained unchanged, more or less, for 65 years. Land Rover don’t really do Birthday cakes and so a new variation of the 4X4 has been rolled out to mark the occasion.
Named the Defender LXV, 65 in Roman numerals, the car is built upon the popular Defender 90. Powered by a 2.2 litre diesel engine and equipped with all of its usual off-roading credentials, the LXV makes for a compelling purchase. Its £28,765 price tag also gets you contrasting stitching on your seats, new grills and altered headlights, a smattering of stickers and the opportunity to join an exclusive club of just 65.
Are you a multi-millionaire? Did you miss our on the opportunity to snap-up one of those Batman inspired, one of three, Veneno’s? Are you feeling down in the dumps about not being able to celebrate Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary with something special? Well, fear not as Lamborghini has not forgotten that it has more than three customers. For you a special Aventador awaits.
Continuing Lamborghini’s tradition of extraordinarily long names, this is the Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario Edition, in short the most powerful Lamborghini Aventador yet. This cars mighty V12 produces 720BHP that sends it from standing to 62MPH in just 2.9 seconds. Top speed is 217MPH. This raging bull features unique carbon fibre bodywork which is said to be up to 50% more aerodynamically efficient than the standard car. Just 100 examples will be produced.
