DB9 special editions

Aston Martin has been busy during 2010 creating special editions of its DBS (Carbon Black and UB2010), V8 Vantage (N420) and V12 Vantage (Carbon Black).



Now it’s the turn of the DB9 to receive the ‘let’s see if we can shift a few more units’ treatment.



The DB9 Morning Frost specification is aimed at those wanting a little more luxury. Finished in pearlescent white with a metallic bronze leather interior, other distinguishing features include silver grilles and brake calipers, plus 19" ten-spoke alloy wheels.

By contrast, the DB9 Carbon Black and Quantum Silver editions are intended to be sportier. Named after their body paint colours, both feature Obsidian Black interiors with coarse silver stitching, real glass switchgear and a piano black centre console. They also come with a remapped sports exhaust for a better sound (Aston Martin isn’t claiming any increase over the standard car’s 470 bhp / 350 kW / 477 PS), graphite tailpipes, 19” ten-spoke gloss black alloys and black grilles.

The DB9 Morning Frost, Carbon Black and Quantum Silver will all have Touchtronic II transmission fitted as standard. They are available to order now, although curiously pricing has yet to be revealed.

Speed camera openness

The UK government’s Department for Transport has announced proposals that could see information being published about the country’s numerous speed cameras.



Under the plan, statistics released might include accident rates at camera sites, recorded vehicle speeds and the number of offenders prosecuted or alternatively offered speed awareness courses.

Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, said, “Public bodies should be accountable and if taxpayers' money is being spent on speed cameras then it is right that information about their effectiveness is available to the public.



“The proposals I have announced today will help show what impact cameras are having on accident and casualty rates and also how the police are dealing with offenders. This is in line with our commitment to improve transparency of government data so that the public are able to make more informed judgements about the work of local and central government.”



At least the government is now referring to them as ‘speed cameras’, instead of the disingenuous ‘safety cameras’.



While this spirit of glasnost is to be welcomed, such data on its own may be pretty much useless. The number of accidents (and injuries sustained) that occurred before a speed camera was installed would have to be known too, otherwise it’s impossible to judge whether the camera is effective or not. Even then, the actual causes of crashes at the site would also have to be disclosed to see how many were actually speed-related.



One important thing that the proposals seem to ignore is what then happens with the results? Will a camera be removed if it can be demonstrated that it plays no role in road safety? Will a particular speed limit be raised to a more appropriate level if it’s found that there are minimal speed-related accidents? If it’s just business as usual, and nothing is done, then publishing the data in the first place seems rather pointless.



The Department for Transport will be consulting with the Highways Agency, police forces and local authorities to decide exactly what will be revealed. It’s intended that data will be made available to the public from April 2011.

Journey becomes a Fiat

Dodge will stop offering its Journey in Europe, choosing instead to market the vehicle as the Fiat Freemont on this side of the Atlantic.

Such a move comes as no surprise. Indeed, when Fiat Group Automobile unveiled its 2010-2014 Business Plan earlier this year, it was made clear that for Dodge ‘outside of the US, only models consistent with the strong American image of the brand, such as the Challenger, Charger and Viper, will be distributed. In addition, some products will be gradually integrated with the Fiat brand in Europe…’

The good news for potential Freemont customers is that Dodge gave the Journey an extensive overhaul for the 2011 model year. Changes included retuning the suspension for improved ride and handling, recalibrating the steering for more feel and increasing the soundproofing for more refinement.

Interior quality - arguably a factor that has prevented recent Chrysler Group products from performing better in Europe - received attention too, and Dodge is now claiming ‘world-class levels of craftsmanship and comfort’ for the Journey. If true, that should help the Freemont succeed in an extremely competitive market sector.

North American buyers can currently specify either a 173 bhp (129 kW / 175 PS) 2.4 litre I4 or 283 bhp (211 kW / 286 PS) 3.6 litre V6 Pentastar engine for their Journey, both of which are petrol-powered. It’s unclear whether these will also make it into the Freemont, but a 168 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS) 2.0 litre diesel engine from Fiat is a certainty. To help extend the Freemont’s appeal, expect all-wheel drive to be offered as an option, as it is for the Journey.

The Freemont, which will be built alongside the Dodge Journey in Toluca, Mexico, replaces the ancient and slow-selling Ulysse MPV. Originally introduced back in 2002, the Ulysse shares its underpinnings with the Lancia Phedra, Citroën C8 and Peugeot 807.

Sales of the Fiat Freemont are due to begin in June 2011, following a debut at next March’s Geneva International Motorshow.

Wald International Presents the F01 BMW 7-Series �Black Bison� Edition

After having unveiled numerous other Black Bison Edition-labeled cars in the past, including the Bentley Continetal Flying Spur and the W212 Mercedes E-Class, Japanese tuning firm Wald International has now applied the styling treatment to the latest F01 BMW 7-Series.

The Black Bison Edition aero-kit adds a new front bumper with a lip spoiler and LED daytime running lights and a sportier but more complex-looking rear apron with a diffuser and an LED braking light. True, we would have preferred a matte finish for the 23-inch Wald Renovatio alloys and could do without the "muffler cutter" tailpipes, as they somehow remind us of those found on the Lexus IS-F, but, nevertheless, BMW's designers could learn a thing or two from the Japanese tuner's styling department.

Lowered side skirts along with a pair of spoilers on the roof and trunk lid, plus fake wing vents that cut into the doors complete the package. The Black Bison 7-Series is anything but black, though the white paintjob does makes it look a bit more imposing than the standard model.

Wald International didn't release any information on pricing and availability.

By Csaba Daradics

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Fiat and Chrysler Announce Plans to Build New Cars and SUVs for Alfa Romeo and Jeep at Mirafiori Plant

The Fiat Group has revealed plans to create a new joint venture with its North American partner Chrysler LLC at its historic Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy. Under the new plan, Fiat will bring a U.S. platform to Turin for production of larger segment passenger cars and SUVs for the Jeep and Alfa Romeo brands.

"These will be flagship models for Jeep and Alfa Romeo, the most international brands of the two Groups with significant development potential globally," said Fiat in a statement.

More than half of the vehicles to be produced at Fiat's Mirafiori plant would be for international markets outside the European Union and especially for North America. Although Fiat did not get into any specific details on the future models, the automaker said that they are expected to come to market in the third and fourth quarters of 2012.

"Bringing this new platform to Mirafiori will result in potential production of up to more than 1,000 vehicles per day or some 250,000-280,000 vehicles per year, resulting in full utilization of the current workforce and opening the way for potential new jobs," said Fiat.

The Italian automaker added that the total investment will be more than �1 billion, divided between Fiat and Chrysler in proportion to volumes produced for each brand.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity for Italian industry to produce cars of quality and prestige. Mirafiori has all the elements necessary to achieve a leap of quality and become a world class plant, producing cars for Europe, North America and other markets around the world," Fiat said in a statement released to the press.

VIDEO: RENNtech C74 with Akrapovic Full Titanium Exhaust

A little over a month ago, RENNtech unveiled the C74, a menacing, wide-bodied Mercedes C63 AMG. While it looked great with its DTM-racecar-inspired bodykit, the Florida-based tuner wasn't really satisfied with how it huffed and puffed. Enter the Akrapovic full titanium exhaust system, which lightens the car by 43 lbs (20 kg) and squeezes out 12 extra ponies and 16 lb-ft (22 Nm) of torque, giving it a truly angry bellow. Check out the video after the break to hear it for yourself.

By Csaba Daradics

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Bodacious Moke for all the Hodaddies* in the Hood

As originally envisioned, the Mini Moke was supposed to be a home-grown Willys Jeep for the British Army. As finally built, the Moke lacked the ground clearance and ruggedness to be of much use to the British army, but made waves as a low cost, easy to maintain beach buggy for the world's surfies.

That's "people who surf and enjoy the beach lifestyle" for those who aren't down with the lingo. It only makes sense then that the Moke, which shared mechanicals with its Mini namesake, would also be popular with customizers.

From that Great Southern Land, Australia, comes this 1979 Mini Moke that has undergone a pretty thorough customization including "Pure Orange" paintwork, white interior, padded grab bars and 17-inch white mag wheels. All up, it's a pretty sweet looking ride, with a Buy It Now price of AU$15,000 (US$14,784) on eBay.

It's the sort of ride any beach bum would be happy to be seen in. Check out the pics and give us your verdict in the comments section below.

* A "hodaddy" is someone who's into cars and doesn't surf but likes the scene. No really, it's on the internet and everything.

By Tristan Hankins

Link: eBay

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Ginetta Reveals New G55 Sports Car Racer

British sports carmaker Ginetta has revealed the first renderings and preliminary specs of its new G55 racecar. The company also announced that the Michelin Ginetta G50 Cup, a supporting series for the British Touring Car Championship, will change its name to Ginetta GT Supercup, in which both the G50 and G55 will be eligible to compete, starting from next year.

The new G55 is powered by a Ford-sourced 3.7-liter engine delivering 370 hp, coupled to a Hewland gearbox. Compared to the older G50, Ginetta's new racer boasts more powerful front and rear brakes, a new exhaust system and fresh bodywork with improved aerodynamics. The G55 will be displayed for the first time at the Autosport International exhibition on January 13th. Pricing has been set at �75,000.

Ginetta boss, Lawrence Tomlinson, commented on the changes: "The G50 has dominated GT4 since its launch 2 years ago and proved itself as a real stepping stone into the GT4 arena. By introducing the G55 into the new Ginetta GT Supercup, I want to broaden Ginetta's offering to all drivers expanding our career ladder even further and highlight a real route into GT3 - whilst still providing an affordable way to enjoy top level racing".?

Teams running the Ginetta G50 will have the option to upgrade their existing car to G55 specs for �25,000 or enroll in a new, part-exchange system. According to the program, the 2011 G50 will be fitted with a 300 hp 3.5-liter Ford engine linked to the same Hewland gearbox.

As for the Ginetta GT Supercup, Mr. Tomlinson said that it will emulate the class structure of other GT championships, such as the Le Mans Series or ALMS, and competitors will benefit from separate points systems and podiums. Entry fees for the race series will be �9,750 + VAT for tge G50 and �11,750 + VAT for the G55.

By Csaba Daradics

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Aston Martin Announces New Vantage GT4 Racer for 2011

It's only been a year since Aston Martin launched its Vantage GT4 racing car, but the British maker has already prepared an updated model for the 2011 season. The revised Vantage GT4 is said to be inspired from the firm's V12 Vantage road car, giving it enhanced aerodynamics and increased downforce, while it also features a number of other improvements.

The 2011 GT4 is closely based on the V8 Vantage road car, with which it is shares the same aluminium chassis, base engine and suspension designs.

The aerodynamic changes up front that include a new splitter, help increase downforce and direct cooling air to the brakes and radiator. At the back, Aston Martin added the V12's larger boot 'flip'. The 2011 car also gets a new carbon fibre diffuser and rear underfloor, which according to Aston Martin, create an area of low pressure under the rear of the GT4, thus increasing downforce while also channeling more air through a new rear-mounted high capacity transmission oil cooler.

Along with the aero upgrades and engine tweaks, Aston Martin is also offering as a first the option of a race-developed Bosch ABS and traction control system that has been specifically calibrated by Bosch Motorsport for the Vantage GT4.

The company said that along with its own one-make series, the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain, the new Vantage GT4 will also be eligible for the European GT4 Cup and all other series with a GT4 class.

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Top 10 List with the Most Congested Cities and Freeways in North America

With the holiday season upon us, North American cities are bound to experience increased traffic, as most residents will increase the use of their car during the merriest time of the year. Navteq, a Chicago-based provider of electronic maps, traffic and location data company has issued a Top 10 list with the most congested cities and freeways in North America.

Not surprisingly, New York takes the top spot in both lists, having the worst traffic inside the city and the slowest freeways in terms of average rush hour speed. So, be sure to avoid the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and the New York � Washington BRG EB 3 and New York � Washington BRG WB 7 freeways.

Other overly congested freeways are to be found in Montreal, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Washington D.C. took second place for its choked inner city traffic, probably due to all those commuting lobbyists, followed by San Francisco. Los Angeles placed in the middle of the pack, while Houston comes in last. Before some start pointing guns fingers at me, Texans should be aware that being last in this list is actually a good thing.

US Cities with the Worst Rush Hours?

1. New York?
2. Washington D.C.?
3. San Francisco?
4. Seattle?
5. Los Angeles ?
6. Philadelphia?
7. Chicago ?
8. Dallas-Ft.Worth ?
9. Atlanta ?
10. Houston

Freeways with the Slowest Typical Rush Hour ?

1. New York City � Brooklyn Battery TUNL NB?
2. New York City � Washington BRG EB?
3. Montreal � AUT-15EB
4. Philadelphia � US-202 SB?
5. Montreal � RTE-138 WB?
6. New York City � Washington BRG WB?
7. Los Angeles � 1-10EB?
8. Boston � US-1 NB?
9. Dallas � TX-366 EB?
10. Toronto � Don Valley PKWY NB

Don't agree with Navteq Top 10 lists? Share your opinion on the matter in the comments below.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Navteq , Photos: Carscoop