Aston Martin Unveils 2015 Black and White Carbon Editions Of The DB9.

When it comes to pure car body styling, the Aston Martin DB9 has always been one of my favorites. Now, it's even sexier in two new special editions, Carbon Black and Carbon White.

Style and visual drama are the special editions hallmarks as they perfectly emphasize the timeless GT’s sporting nature.






The new Carbon Black accentuates the 183 mph DB9’s 6.0-litre V12 potential through a strong dark theme underpinned by a unique combination of lightweight carbon fiber features. Meanwhile, the contemporary Carbon White special edition creates a dramatic visual effect with the carbon fiber and dark elements contrasting strongly against the Stratus White paint and accented caliper color.







Inside, a strong black styling theme with a choice of accent colous in line with the caliper shade showcases carbon fiber details and new black hardware.




Striking exterior additions for both Carbon Black and Carbon White editions include carbon fiber side strakes, black window surrounds and a black diffuser, reinforcing the powerful visual themes.





The cars have details like embroidered headrests, a bang & olufsen stereo and carbon fiber door handles. Bespoke sill plaques with the Carbon Black or Carbon White logo, communicate the cars’ rarity, too.




Of course the styling changes don’t alter the DB9’s inherent grand touring capabilities, qualities that make it the world’s most admired and desired GT.

Today’s DB9 features the modern AM11 V12 engine which uses ‘Gen4’ VH architecture and hardware, tuned to suit the character of a classic GT. The result is an engine with effortless torque of up to 620 Nm and peak power of 517 PS.

Prices for the special edition DB9 Carbon Black and Carbon White models are available on application at any of Aston Martin’s 147 dealers.

Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman explained: “The classic DB9 Carbon Black and daring DB9 Carbon White special editions give this timeless GT a fresh and highly desirable new appearance. Meanwhile, the exciting details that define N430 should leave no one in any doubt about the car’s motorsport roots. Bold graphic treatments and the option of vivid colour combinations conjure up clear visual echoes of the race circuit.”



Specs:
year: 2015
make: Aston-Martin
Model: DB9
Engine: V12
Horsepower @ RPM:517 @ 6500
Torque @ RPM: 457 @ 5500
Displacement: 6.0 L
0-60 time: 4.6 sec.
Top Speed: 183 mph

all images and info courtesy of Aston Martin

Mercedes-Benz Designs A Wicked Car Inspired By A Video Racing Game: The AMG Vision Gran Turismo.

For the new PlayStation® 3 racing game Gran Turismo 6, released just last month, the Mercedes-Benz designers have developed the visionary concept of a super sports car – and created one in full scale: the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo.




Extreme proportions, sensual contours and intelligently implemented high tech blend to form a breathtaking body.






Using the theme "Vision Gran Turismo", the world's leading automotive manufacturers and design studios were to develop concept models which give a unique insight into the further development of the automobile.







Kazunori Yamauchi, Head of Games Development and President of Polyphony Digital Inc., called for a look into the future. Under the basic idea of "Vision Gran Turismo", leading car manufacturers and design companies worldwide were asked to fashion pioneering design models. As virtual vehicles that nonetheless function just like a real car, the visionary concepts will be gradually unveiled in and integrated into the new game Gran Turismo® 6 through online updates.



"With its proportions and its expressive appearance, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo embodies that design philosophy of sensual clarity which is characteristic of the brand. The design of this concept car clearly shows the perfect interaction of emotive, sensual shapes with intelligently placed technologies," said Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG.

As a 1:1-scale model, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo celebrated its world premiere at the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Research Development Center in Sunnyvale, California and debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show.


above: the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo at the Los Angeles Auto Show

During the design development of the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo, the same standards were kept and the same processes followed as for any other concept car or series-production model. All the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios around the world prepared initial design drafts of their visions. Finally, the best ideas were further developed at the Advanced Design Studio in Sindelfingen as part of a digital design process, and then perfected in a physical 1:1 design process. The interior design was created at the specialised Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy.

Also, the sound designers of the concept car have integrated an elegant, specially developed sound for the eight independent exhaust pipes integrated into the rear lamps (shown below).


Muscuar Bodyshell:


The sports car proportions that are a typical Mercedes-Benz feature have been reinterpreted: the long bonnet has a flowing transition into a compact greenhouse offset to the rear, which takes the form of an aerodynamically efficient water drop to descend slightly at the rear, where it rests on the rear end with broad shoulder contours. The dynamic aura is accentuated by an extended, dramatic side contour and a pronounced bulge to the wheel arches, which blend into the low-slung, muscular bodyshell. The angled headlamps, with their colour scheme and determined look, convey a sense of sportiness and readiness to leap forward.

LED Grille:


Another eye-catching feature is the radiator grille – a reinterpretation of the wide Mercedes-Benz sports car grille with central star. Its shape is reminiscent of the legendary 300 SL racing car of 1952. However, instead of classic louvres the grille of the show car features exclusively LEDs. The variable LED grille with different light patterns is a further development of the diamond grille introduced with the new A-Class.

The Game: Gran Turismo 6 - Standard Edition


• The Gran Turismo® series, recording sales over 70 million* worldwide, reinvents its core game engine in its newest edition for PlayStation®3. Gran Turismo®6 brings with it 1,200 types of car and 76 courses across 37 locations.
• With powered-up online competition, brand-new community functions, the product of collaboration with the world’s automotive manufacturers “Vision Gran Turismo” and more, Gran Turismo®6 is at the forefront of racing game technology.



Gran Turismo
Mercedes Benz

Infiniti Q50s Get Fashion Makeovers by Thom Browne and Zac Posen To Be Sold On Gilt.com

Two of the hottest designers in the high-fashion world, Zac Posen (who some of you may know from his red carpet gowns and/or his role on Project Runway) and Thom Browne, The New York fashion designer and recipient of the 2013 CDFA Menswear Designer Of The Year award, have each designed a special 2014 Infiniti Q50. The specially outfitted (pardon the pun) cars will be available in December via the online luxury site Gilt.com (if you don't belong, click here for an invite code ) where the two buyers will also receive a $10,000 Gilt.com shopping credit, as well as a style consultation. The cars will be priced at $75,000 each.



The Zac Posen Infiniti Q50:











The Thom Browne Infiniti Q50:













the press release:
The Infiniti Q50 had a new look revealed in New York City, thanks to two of the hottest designers in the high-fashion world. The cars were unveiled to media at the Infiniti of Manhattan dealership located in the city's famed Hell's Kitchen area.

"I was totally blown away when I saw it; the ombré-effect that we created [with the exterior paint], and set out to create, really worked as an object. That emphasized the movement and the shape of the car, which is what was most important to me," said Zac Posen, fashion designer.

Posen dresses some of today's hottest celebrities. He and his contemporary, Thom Browne, each took a turn at outfitting the newest addition to the Infiniti lineup. These custom-tailored cars feature elements exclusive to each designer's aesthetics.

"In talking to Infiniti at the beginning and really learning their design philosophy, and that being very individual, very secure and confident in being an individual, that was how I approached this initially, and wanted to do something as conceptual as possible for making sure the customer saw something that was really unique and individual," said Browne.

The Thom Browne 2014 Infiniti Q50 exterior features a chrome finish. The vehicle is accented with his signature red, white and blue stripe throughout, from the seats to the floor mats, and stitching on the steering wheel. There's also Browne's hallmark sterling silver ring encircling the gear-shift handle.

With a more feminine flair, Posen's creation displays a unique paint application that evokes the back of a glamorous silk gown. The interior's inspiration?

"Then I opened the door and got into what I call the red-carpet interior. Working with very luxurious materials, the shagreen handle, the shagreen stick, it's all piped in leather that contrasts it. And playing with tonality of reds," said Posen.

Gilt.com joined with Infiniti to offer these luxury sports sedans; both brands say the partnership just made sense.

"Gilt and Infiniti have very similar customers. They are very fashion savvy, tech savvy, they like new things and we think this is a great partnership," said Kelly MacDonald, Infiniti Marketing.

The two buyers of these 2014 Infinitis will also receive a $10,000 Gilt.com shopping credit, as well as a style consultation.

"From here the cars are going to five events focused around Gilt City shopping events. We'll have Thom- and Zac-designed concept rooms to house their cars in five cities. So next week it goes to Dallas, then Chicago, then New York, Miami and L.A., from now until December. We have a chance to bring the cars to life so people can see them in person," said Clara Pang, business development, Gilt.

These Infiniti Q50 packages will be sold for $75,000 each on gilt.com in December with a portion of the proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To learn more, visit here

images and info courtesy of Infiniti