Aston Martin’s Plan for Sports Car Domination

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400

Aston Martin DB9 LM 2008
Aston Martin unveiled the DBS for the first time along with two new special editions — the Aston Martin DB9 LM and the V8 Vantage N400. Both special editions draw inspiration from the company’s recent achievements at Le Mans and the Nurburgring 24-hour races. The V8 Vantage N400 commemorates Aston Martin’s achievements at the Nurburgring, where the company enjoyed success in the grueling ADAC 24-hour race with the V8 Vantage N24 production racecar. Aston Martin develops and tests all of its road cars extensively on the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit and the Vantage N400 recently broke the eight-minute benchmark around the legendary 14-mile circuit.

The 2008 Vantage N400 includes a number of performance improvements as well as enhancements to the car’s styling and standard features. The limited-edition model receives a needed boost in power to Aston’s 4.3 liter V8 engine, peak power rises from 380 to 400bhp, torque is up to 414lb ft. The handling has been improved as well, thanks to a Sports Package, which includes lighter-weight, graphite-finished alloy wheels and up-rated springs and dampers and a larger rear anti-roll bar.

The Vantage N400’s most noticeable exterior design improvement is the clear rear taillights. Side skirts have also received a more sculpted look. The Vantage N400 will be available in three new exterior colors; Bergwerk Black, Lightning Silver or Karussell Orange.

Interior enhancements include perforated black leather seats, micro-spin alloy interior trim and a unique numbered sill plaque. Transmission choice is between Sportshift automated manual or conventional manual transmission. Additionally, the Vantage N400 comes equipped with a range of normally optional equipment, including Satellite Navigation, 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System, Bluetooth telephone preparation, HID headlamps, cruise control and memory/heated seats.

All in all the V8 Vantage has been a very good bargain form Aston and now it just got even better thanks to the upgrades in the M400 special edition.

The DB9 LM celebrates Aston Martin’s GT1 class victory in the Le Mans 24-hour endurance classic in June with the DBR9 — a racecar derived from the DB9.

This special edition car, available in Coupe form only with Touchtronic transmission, includes a unique Sarthe Silver exterior paint finish, meshes and rear crossbar finished in Magnum Silver and red brake calipers. Inside, the DB9 LM is fitted with handcrafted black leather finish, perforated leather inserts, unique “Tertre Rouge” interior trim and numbered sill plaque. The car is also equipped with the normally optional DB9 Sports Pack as standard, including the lighter-weight wheels seen on the Vantage N400.

Check out the Gallery’s of all three cars — DBS, N400, and DB9 LM

Car Wallpapers – BMW’s new M3 is a brutal beast

2008 BMW E92 M3 Coupe wallpaper

Alpine white with standard 18in wheels

2008 BMW E92 M3 Coupe wallpaper

Alpine white Rear view

The most anticipated new BMW heads state side in early 2008. The M3 has been BMW’s most sought after model since its original debut over two decades ago. The newest version, the fourth generation named the E92, is the best yet and deserving of the M title. With its technology, this M3 has managed to become closer to its racing pedigree while maintain the highest level of comfort and usability.

The most notable improvement from the last M3 is the 4.0L V8, which produces the most beautiful sound. This engine is worth a second look. Compared to the 5.0L V-8 in the previous M5 generation, this new 4.0L engine is nearly 100 lbs lighter and produces 20 additional horsepower. The current engine is 30 pounds lighter than the previous E46 M3’s I-6.

Thanks to individual throttle butterflies and Double-VANOS technology, the engine is more responsive and more fuel efficient throughout the rev range, which does not stop until 8,400 RPM. The M3’s engine is essentially a chopped version of the 5.0L V-10 found in the current M5 (E60) and M6 (E63). The M3’s V-8 produces 420 hp compared to the M5 and M6’s V-10’s 500 hp.

engine

4.0L V-8 Engine

powerdome

Aluminum hood with powerdome in Melbourne red

According to BMW, average fuel consumption of this powerhouse V-8 is said to be a respectable 22.8 mpg, proving the engineering skill of the BMW engine designers. Other journalists have found less then 15 mpg when flogging the M3 around mountain roads. The lightweight cylinder block is made with the same aluminum/silicon alloy that is used for BMW’s Formula 1 team engine blocks. These materials are proper supercar stuff.

BMW’s exceptional 6-speed manual transmission will be standard as usual and will incorporate temperature related oil cooling and a mass inertia optimized double plate clutch. Those who want an automatic (SMG) gearbox will have to wait till 2009. The M3’s body developed from the 3 Series Coupe only shares the doors and trunk. All the other components have been painstakingly developed with overall performance in mind. The hood swells to hint at the power below, two intake openings frame the hood. The fenders are flared to hide wider rubber. Front fenders incorporate typical M style grills with turn signal indicators. 18in wheels are still standard while optional 19in’s are much better looking and fill the wheel wells much better. The roof is made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic to reduce weight where it is needed most, on the top of the car. 11 pounds was shaved from the roof thanks to this hi-tech material.

2008 BMW E92 M3 Coupe wallpaper

Silverstone silver with optional 19in wheels

wheel

Melbourne red with 18in wheels and side grill

One of the new features of the M3 is Brake Energy Regeneration. A new technology BMW has implemented to cut on fuel consumption and ensure that as much power as possible is going to the road. During application of the brakes, this energy being created is harnessed and charges the battery. The battery provides much of the power to the car’s electronics, eliminating the resources of the engine power.

Electronically adjustable suspension, which is taking the supercar world by storm is finally in the M3, which BMW calls Electronic Damper Control (EDC), this great option lets the driver choose between three distinct ride profiles: Normal, Comfort and Sports. Engine response can be changed as well.

sidemirror

Melbourne red side mirror

interior

Interior with Novillo leather in Palladium silver

The exterior mirror design does not strike me as good looking.
They may be more aerodynamic, and the double arm design is very reminiscent of the E36 M3’s mirror design, but I find the standard 3 series equipment to be much more attractive.

One option that should not be over looked by any track enthusiasts, driver and passenger seats with adjustable backrest width. The standard seats are well bolstered but the ability to tighten the seat around ones self during spirited driving and the ability to relax the seats and be conferrable on long journeys is valuable feature.

This M3 is the most desirable model BMW has produced. The engine is quite possible the best of the year and driving experience would put a smile on the toughest of critiques, while at the touch of a button it becomes docile enough to be enjoyed as a daily driver. BMW has succeeded in making a multi purpose racecar.

Get Your Own Road Going Jet Fighter For 1.4 Million

Lamborghini Reventon

Lamborghini Reventon

Lamborghini has gone off the deep end with their newest Supercar. More expensive then a Bugatti Veyron, inspired by a jet fighter and four times more expensive then their current flagship Murcielago LP640. All twenty that will be produced are already spoken for. Deposits were reportedly over 300,000. For the $1.4 million dollar price tag one could buy 4 Murcielago LP640’s @ a mere $350,000 each. Even more thought provoking is the fact that the Reventon is built from the Murcielago platform. So what are you getting for all that extra dough? The jet fighter styling can be seen inside and out. The inside consists of a military color scheme of brown leather and tan suede. The gauges aeronautical theme can be seen in the triangular tachometer and speedometer rendered in red and green. The outside is just as theme oriented, flat gray paint gives this Reventon a true jet fighter look. Bodywork has the look of a F-117A Nighthawk. Vents and intakes have grown in size, and horsepower has grown. Expect upwards of 800hp and well over 200 mph top speed.