William Maley

Yes, I believe it happened the night before and lasted into the morning before we headed out whatever GM preview that was taking place. Let me tell you how happy I was to be on snow tires.

Remember the Aston Martin Cygnet? It's ok if you don't as the vehicle is a bit of an odd unicorn. This is basically a Toyota/Scion iQ in fancy clothing that was aimed at Aston customers who wanted a small city car. The model was a flop and would be killed off in 2013. Recently, a Cygnet owner called up Q by Aston Martin personalization department to make his/her vehicle somewhat special. The end result is this, the V8 Cygnet. Yes, Aston Martin's engineers swapped the 1.3L four-cylinder for the 4.7L V8 from the last-generation Vantage S. Horsepower has increased from 97 to 430. Aston says the V8 Cygnet can hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reaches a top speed 170 mph. The Cygnet underwent some significant surgery to handle this newfound power. Engineers added a small torque tube to send power to the rear wheels, fabricated a new firewall and transmission tunnel from scratch; borrowed a number of suspension parts from Vantage, and installed wider wheel arches for larger brakes and tires. Inside, Q welded in a full roll cage, and installed Recaro bucket seats with four-point harnesses along with a FIA-compliant fire suppression system. The driver faces a removable, Alcantara-covered steering wheel and an instrument cluster from the Vantage. One nice touch is Aston Martin leaving in the air conditioning system. “The V8 Cygnet shows the fun side of both Aston Martin and its customers. It is also a fine example of the engineering talent within the company as it’s no small achievement to fit the Vantage’s V8 engine so harmoniously into the Cygnet’s compact body. I am sure that it will amaze and thrill people when they see and hear it on the hill at the Festival of Speed,” said Aston Martin Vice President & Special Operations Officer, David King. The V8 Cygnet will be making itself known this weekend as it runs up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. Source: Aston Martin ASTON MARTIN V8 CYGNET: THE ULTIMATE CITY CAR A one-off creation for a customer through the ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service 4.7-litre, naturally aspirated V8 sits under the bonnet and drives the rear wheels Carbon composite flared wheel arch extensions Power-to-weight ratio of 313bhp/tonne Thursday 12 July 2018, Goodwood: One of the most exciting, outrageous and diminutive creations ever to wear the famous Aston Martin wings will be making its world debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Dubbed the ‘The Ultimate City Car’, a one-off Aston Martin Cygnet has been built with a 4.7-litre, 430bhp V8 engine from the Vantage S and a very short torque tube. The V8 Cygnet has been brought to life for a single customer through the ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’ service. This section of the British marque’s bespoke personalisation service allows the ultimate in freedom of expression when designing an Aston Martin and the V8 Cygnet continues to push these boundaries. Aston Martin Vice President & Special Operations Officer, David King said: “The V8 Cygnet shows the fun side of both Aston Martin and its customers. It is also a fine example of the engineering talent within the company as it’s no small achievement to fit the Vantage’s V8 engine so harmoniously into the Cygnet’s compact body. I am sure that it will amaze and thrill people when they see and hear it on the hill at the Festival of Speed.” Developed in-house by Aston Martin’s engineers, the starting point for the project was a right-hand drive Cygnet steel body shell and panels. A roll cage was welded to this, becoming an integral part of the chassis in the process, while a new front bulkhead and transmission tunnel were fabricated from sheet metal to accommodate the characterful 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 Vantage S powertrain. Subframes and suspension are also derived from the previous generation Vantage and a steel fuel tank housing has been mounted in the boot area, utilizing every inch of space. Despite all this work, the car remains very recognisably a Cygnet from the outside. The face of the little Aston Martin remains largely untouched, with no extra bulges in the bonnet and just a subtle black mesh for the famous grille. However, there is no disguising the extra width of the wheel arches. In order to accommodate the significantly wider front and rear tracks, beautiful carbon composite flared extensions were made. These also house the new forged, five-spoke, diamond-turned wheels, which have grown from 16” to 19” in diameter. At the rear of the car the distinguishing new feature of the V8 Cygnet is the central twin exhaust pipes. The exhaust is a bespoke system with twin underfloor mufflers and catalytic converters. With relatively short distances involved from manifold to tail pipe the V8 Cygnet has a voice that belies its compact size. The engine itself is the 4.7-litre, naturally-aspirated V8 that is more usually found beneath the bonnet of the previous-generation Vantage S. Bespoke intake trunking had to be designed and there are twin conical air filters. There is no sense in which the engine has been neutered for the Cygnet, however, with power and torque figures remaining at 430bhp and 490NM (361lb ft) respectively. The gearbox is also taken from the V8 Vantage S with a seven-speed Sportshift II transmission taking care of the shifting. Power is transferred via a miniature torque tube to the 9.5” rear wheels, which are complemented by 275/35 Bridgestone tyres. Weighing just 1375kg when full of fluids, the V8 Cygnet has a power-to-weight ratio of 313bhp/tonne. As a result, the V8 Cygnet is capable of accelerating faster than the V8 Vantage S with 0-60mph taking just 4.2 seconds. With a top speed of 170mph it is over 60mph faster than the regular Cygnet. Braking is taken care of by 380mm discs clamped by six-piston monoblock calipers at the front and 330mm discs gripped by four-piston mono block calipers at the rear. The calipers are painted yellow to contrast with the Buckinghamshire green of the bodywork. Most of the remaining parts of the braking system are taken from the V8 Vantage S with ABS and a fixed brake bias valve. Inside, there is a bespoke brake pedal housed in the V8 Vantage-derived pedal box. The rest of the interior is largely indicative of the fact that this V8 Cygnet could easily be used for competition. In addition to the roll cage there is a fully FIA compliant fire extinguisher system and seating is taken care of by composite, fixed back Recaro bucket seats with four-point harnesses. The alcantara covered steering wheel is removable and behind this sits a bespoke carbon dash with the familiar Vantage instrument cluster. There are, of course, little touches of luxury inside as well, with leather pull straps on the unique carbon door cards and two USB ports alongside the bespoke controls for the air conditioning. This very special one-off Cygnet is a timely reminder of what a ground-breaking car the original was, bringing luxury to the city car segment. What’s more, the market place shows that prices of Cygnets are rising as it looks set to become a future classic. Of course, classic status is already almost assured for this new V8 version of the Cygnet that epitomises the concept of a ‘pocket rocket’ and is sure to be a firm favourite of the crowds at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend as it joins a plethora of other Aston Martins on the hillclimb. V8 Cygnet – Technical Specification Body: RHD Cygnet steel bodyshell and panels with integrated welded-in cage Sheet metal fabricated front bulkhead and transmission tunnel Vantage subframes Steel fuel tank housing mounted in the boot area Carbon composite flared wheel arch extensions Mesh front grille Dark exterior hardware Body painted Buckinghamshire Green Yellow brake calipers Interior: Two seat configuration Fixed back Recaro composite driver and passenger seats with Adjustable seat runners driver’s side, fixed position passenger side Four-point harnesses Bespoke carbon composite instrument panel incorporating Vantage instrument cluster Bespoke HVAC controls Twin USB ports Bespoke carbon fibre door cards with leather pull straps and Cygnet door release handles Full FIA compliant fire extinguisher system Removable alcantara steering wheel Engine: All-Alloy Quad Overhead Camshaft, 4.7-litre V8 Dry sump lubrication Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive Vantage S cooling system Twin concial air filters on bespoke intake trunking Bespoke exhaust system with twin underfloor mufflers and catalytic convertors Twin centre exit tailpipes 30-litre ATL Savercell fuel tank Electrical System: V8 Vantage S electrical architecture Cygnet front and rear lights FIA compliant cut off and isolation system Rear mounted battery Bespoke lightweight HVAC system Performance Maximum Power: 430bhp Maximum Torque: 490Nm (361lb ft) Maximum Speed: 170 mph (274 km/h) Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.2secs Transmission: V8 Vantage S seven-speed Sportshift II gearbox Bespoke torque tube with steel propeller shaft Limited-slip differential Suspension: Front Independent double wishbone, coil springs, anti-roll bar and passive dampers Rear Independent double wishbone, coil springs, anti-roll bar and passive dampers Wheels and Tyres Lightweight forged five-spoke silver diamond turned wheels Bridgestone tyres Front 8.5×19” 235/40/19 Rear 9.5×19” 275/35/19 Brakes: V8 Vantage S braking system with ABS and fixed brake bias valve Front 6-piston monoblock calipers, 380mm 2 piece floating ventilated discs Rear 4-piston monoblock calipers 330mm 2 piece co-cast ventilated discs V8 Vantage derived pedal box with bespoke brake pedal Dimensions Length: 3708mm Width: 1920mm (excluding door mirrors) Height: 1500mm Wheelbase: 2020mm Front Track: 1570mm Rear Track: 1560mm Weight: 1375kg (kerbweight) Weight Distribution: 50%/50% (Front/Rear) View full article

A new report from Autocar says that Mercedes-AMG is proposing a new entry-level sports car to take on the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman. The model is being presented as a indirect replacement to the slow selling SLC to Mercedes-Benz’s board of management. According to sources, the model is in the "conceptual stage" and needs approval from the board. But it is clear that AMG has given some thought if this project is given the green light. The design is said to have clear links to the upcoming Project One hypercar, and come in a coupe and convertible. For power, Autocar says the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that will be used in both the new A35 and A45 hot hatches. Output will range from around 300 to more than 400 horsepower. There is a possibility of the engine being placed in a mid-mounted setup. “A lot of thought has gone into how Mercedes-AMG can better leverage its success in motorsport, particularly Formula 1 and endurance racing. One idea is a sports car that is relatively attainable financially and ideally suited to track day running. But it is just an idea and not a committed project right now,” said a source. Source: Autocar View full article

The next-generation Volvo XC90, due out in 2021 as a 2022 model will follow in the S60's footsteps by not offering any sort of diesel option. Instead, Volvo will be offering a range of hybrids and electric-only powertrains. “We have to prioritise – we cannot do everything. So if we want to be faster in electrification we can’t say yes to everything. That’s why [the S60] has no diesel alternative and we are not planning to have a diesel alternative in any new cars. The XC90 will follow this,” said Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson to Auto Express. Volvo's next-generation SPA2 platform will underpin the XC90, which is designed to accept both electric and hybrid powertrains. Don't expect a major change in terms of the design. Auto Express reports that Volvo will undertake an evolutionary approach. Source: Auto Express View full article