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

Louis Vuitton Designs Carbon Fiber Luggage for the Revolutionary BMW i8 Plug-In Hybrid.

Buy a BMW i8 and you not only get a sleek, sexy, plug-in hybrid with gullwing doors, but also a trunk full of luxurious luggage. Louis Vuitton has teamed up with the automaker to create a tailor-made set of luggage for the new revolutionary vehicle.


above: The revolutionary BMW i8 plug-in hybrid features gullwing doors

The innovative collection of luggage comprises two travel bags, a business case and a garment bag. To ensure optimal use of space, the luggage items have been tailor-made to fit perfectly into the interior of the revolutionary BMW i8.



“BMW and Louis Vuitton share both a profound appreciation of tradition and a commitment to constant further development,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The use of CFRP in the revolutionary BMW i8 sports car is indicative of an intelligent lightweight construction philosophy. And Louis Vuitton has demonstrated a similar belief in innovation, aesthetics and lightweight design in creating an exclusive luggage collection tailored perfectly to the new BMW i8.”



The understated carbon-black of this luggage range matches the colours of the BMW i8. Its sophisticated look comes courtesy of the unmistakable checkered Damier pattern – a Louis Vuitton hallmark – and a laser-etched Louis Vuitton signature. Black and electric blue used in the microfibre lining take their cue from the trademark brand colours of the BMW i8 and bag handles are made from dyed natural leather, a sign of Louis Vuitton quality. All items in the collection come with leather name tags and the iconic Louis Vuitton padlock with the exception of the garment bag.




Patrick-Louis Vuitton, Head of Special Orders at Louis Vuitton and great grandson of the House’s founder, says, “This collaboration with BMW epitomises our shared values of creativity, technological innovation and style. Our craftsmen at Louis Vuitton have enjoyed the challenge of this very special project, using their ingenuity and attention to detail to create a truly made to measure set of luxury luggage. This is a pure expression of the art of travel.”




Inspired by the visionary design of the BMW i8, the bags and cases – like the sports car’s innovative passenger cell – are made entirely from carbon fibre. This particularly lightweight yet extremely sturdy high-tech material has been used by Louis Vuitton to create a special textile. It provides great robustness and strength, and as such is made for the rigours of travel – no matter how long and arduous the drive.



The exclusive luggage pieces created by Louis Vuitton fit snugly into the BMW i8. The Weekender GM i8, with both hand and shoulder carry straps, is custom-designed to go into the boot (trunk), while the Garment Bag i8is a perfect fit for the rear shelf of the BMW i8. The sturdy hardshell Business Case i8 which is also ideal for carrying laptops, matches the shape of the rear seats; while the small Weekender PM i8 is designed to rest on its surface.



The Louis Vuitton luggage series will be available upon request in a selection of Louis Vuitton stores worldwide (Munich, Milan, London, Paris, Moscow, Dubai, New York, Los Angeles) starting April 1st 2014.

About the BMW i8:





The BMW i8 is the most progressive sports car and is the BMW Group’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle and the second model from the BMW i brand. It is a 2+2-seater boasting visionary design and intelligent lightweight engineering. As a plug-in hybrid, the BMW i8 unites the advantages of innovative electric drive and the latest combustion-engine technology. The upshot is an extraordinary driving experience that delivers the dynamics of a sports car (0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph in 4.4 seconds) along with fuel economy and emissions figures of a small city car (2,1 l/100km / 49 g CO2/km). This means not just purely electric emission-free driving around town but also sporty performance on inter-urban routes. The athletic personality of this revolutionary sports car is patently manifest in its design: classical sports car proportions, spectacular gullwing doors, clean, minimalist lines and a low-slung silhouette all imbue it with its powerful, dynamic shape. The sporty character of the BMW i8 exterior makes a seamless transition into the interior’s future-focused design.

all information and images courtesy of the BMW press group

The Hennessey Venom GT Nabs The Title Of The World's Fastest Production Car - For Now.

Bugatti has a little catching up to do - 0.63 mph. to be exact.


above: previous record holder for the world's fastest production car, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Grabbing the title away from Bugatti for the fastest production car in the world, the Hennessey Venom GT set a new world speed record for 2-seat sports cars by reaching a top speed of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h), beating the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport's previous record of 269.86 mph.





On February 14, 2014, the test was performed at the Kennedy Space Center on the 3.2-mile Space Shuttle landing runway:





Brian Smith, Director of Miller Motorsports Park, drove the Venom GT to its record speed:





A representative from Racelogic, world-renowned maker of VBox GPS data-acquisition systems, was on hand to independently verify and document the Venom GT's highest recorded speed.




The Venom GT was powered with Pennzoil Platinum® with PurePlus™ Technology, a first of its kind synthetic motor oil made from natural gas.



2013 Hennessey Venom GT Specifications:



Optional Upgrades
• Michelin Pilot Sport Cup ZP Tires
• Bare Carbon Fiber Finish
• Right-Hand Drive
• Stefano Ricci Bespoke Interior
• Stereo System Designed by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

Note: The Hennessey Venom GT design is based on the Lotus Elise / Exige. The Venom GT is created from a base Lotus Elise / Exige and utilizes components including but not limited to the roof, doors, side glass, windscreen, dash, cockpit, floorpan, HVAC system, wiper and headlights. Hennessey Performance and the Venom GT are not associated with Lotus Cars.

Want One?


For more information about the Venom GT or to place an order, please contact John Hennessey by telephone at 1.979.885.1300 or by email at info@venomgt.com

Jalopnik has a nice little history of the world's fastest cars here.

Related links:
http://www.venomgt.com
http://www.hennesseyperformance.com