2016 Aston Martin Db9 Gt Bond Edition

2016 Aston Martin Db9 Gt Bond Edition

• Limited edition celebrates over 50 years of Aston Martin and James Bond
• New car previews the release of Spectre, the latest James Bond film
• Based on new DB9 GT – the most powerful DB9 to date with 547 PS

2 September, 2015, Gaydon: For more than half a century Aston Martin has been the sports car of choice for the world's most famous spy, James Bond. Now, the luxury British brand is celebrating the release of Spectre with the launch of the strictly limited DB9 GT Bond Edition.

Limited to 150 examples worldwide, the highly desirable model is based on the recently launched DB9 GT. Designed to offer the best of what DB9 can be, the DB9 GT delivers world-class grand touring and hand-built excellence.

Building on these exceptional foundations, the new Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition adds even greater levels of exclusivity by virtue of its limited edition build run along with a host of carefully considered trim, equipment and accessory additions that celebrate the brand's more than 50-year association with the famous film franchise.

Subtle styling additions

The DB9 GT Bond Edition is distinguished by a subtle yet elegant selection of styling additions inside and out.

The 6.0-litre V12-engined grand tourer features unique Spectre Silver paint; sterling silver Aston Martin badges front and rear; and discreet '007 Bond Edition' exterior badging.

These features build on the elegant styling of the DB9 GT which includes unique ten-spoke gloss black diamond turned 20-inch alloy wheels; bright aluminium bonnet vents, side strakes and grille; carbon fibre front splitter and rear diffuser, and grey brake calipers.

Inside, the DB9 GT Bond Edition continues its subtle homage to James Bond with unique numbered sill plaques featuring the familiar 007 logo; gun barrel embroidery on the 2+2's rear seat divider and a special Bond Edition start-up screen on the new model's AMi II touch-sensitive Aston Martin infotainment system.

These embellishments add to the car's already luxurious interior environment which includes unique fluted leather; an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and a satin carbon fibre centre console surround.

Powerful appeal

The DB9 GT Bond Edition's 6.0-litre V12 engine is capable of generating 547 PS at 6750 rpm, and 620 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm.

The all-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve 5,935 cc front mid-mounted V12 is mated to the proven rear mid-mounted Touchtronic II six-speed transmission with electronic shift-by-wire control system. It carries the luxury sports car from rest to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 183 mph.

The all-round independent double wishbone suspension continues to deliver secure handling while the three-stage Adaptive Damping System (ADS) offers distinct Normal, Sport and Track modes for the broadest possible breadth of dynamic characteristics.

Elegant Accessories

Besides its unique interior and exterior features, the DB9 GT Bond Edition offers a suite of elegant Bond-themed accessories to complement the model's creation.

Presented in a finely-crafted 21" Globe-Trotter trolley case finished with an embossed leather luggage tag, the collector's car also includes an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m James Bond Limited Edition watch complete with a unique Aston Martin strap.

Welcoming the debut of the DB9 GT Bond Edition, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: "Aston Martin and James Bond are intrinsically linked in the minds of many of our enthusiasts and, indeed, owners, worldwide.

"In the run-up to the launch of the new film, Spectre, which sees Bond behind the wheel of the DB10, we are very happy to be able to celebrate the partnership with this superb limited edition DB9 GT collector's item."

Dr Palmer added: "I'm sure the 150 owners worldwide who succeed in acquiring one of these exceptional sports cars will, like the rest of us, delight in seeing Spectre when it is released later this year."

The new DB9 GT Bond Edition is available to order in markets around the world from today, priced at £165,000.

About Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions

EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family. Danjaq is the US-based company that co-owns, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising. EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK-based production company which makes the James Bond films. The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-three films produced since 1962.  Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli succeeded Albert R 'Cubby' Broccoli and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including CASINO ROYALE, QUANTUM OF SOLACE and SKYFALL. The 24th film, SPECTRE, is currently in post-production.

Aston Martin and the DB10

British luxury sports car manufacturer Aston Martin created the DB10 exclusively for James Bond to drive in the forthcoming film – Spectre. This is the first time an entirely new car has been created specifically for Bond. Production has been strictly limited to ten examples of the bespoke sports car which was developed and hand-built by the designers, engineers and artisan craftspeople at Aston Martin's Gaydon headquarters in the UK.

2016 Aston Martin Db9 Gt Bond Edition

Source: https://www.car-revs-daily.com/2015/09/02/2016-aston-martin-db9-gt-bond-edition-150-unit-special-wears-spectre-silver-custom-007-touches/

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2015 Ducati Scrambler Icon Review

2015 Ducati Scrambler Icon Review

Ducati calls its new Scrambler a "post heritage" design – what its original Scramblers from '60s and '70s might have become had production continued to today. (Photos by Milagro)

Do you remember your earliest days of riding? The sense of unbridled freedom and all-consuming thrill? I sure do. Back when I was a stressed-out grad student, I emptied my bank account to buy a used Yamaha FZ750 and maxed out my credit card to buy a black leather Vanson jacket and a Shoei helmet. That bike was my relief valve, my escape hatch. Every time I hit the starter button I went from zero to hero, from wrung-out to blissed-out.

With a low price, a low seat, a tall, wide handlebar and a user-friendly engine, the Scrambler is accessible to all.

With its reborn Scrambler, Ducati wants to take us back to those simpler, more carefree times, when we rode just for the fun of it, when obligations were few and good times were plentiful. Ducati built small-displacement, single-cylinder Scramblers in the '60s and '70s to provide basic, inexpensive bikes for the American market. Ducati calls the new Scrambler's design "post heritage"; it's what the original might have become had Ducati never stopped making it, similar to its SportClassic line from a few years ago. From the teardrop tank with brushed aluminum panels to the round headlight and wide handlebar, the new Scrambler is inspired by the past but is fully modern with standard ABS, an LED headlight ring and taillight, digital instrumentation and a USB socket under the seat.

Hanging from the tubular-steel trellis frame is an air-cooled, SOHC, 2-valve-per-cylinder, 803cc 90-degree L-twin derived from the Monster 796, which makes 75 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 50 lb-ft of torque at 5,750 rpm (claimed). Desmodromic valve actuation uses the same 11-degree valve overlap as the Multistrada and Diavel, and the electronic fuel injection uses a single 50mm throttle body with two sub-butterfly injectors. The aluminum covers for the clutch, alternator and cam belts have machined detailing, and the exhaust header pipes curve gracefully on the right side and merge into a single low-slung silencer. The transmission has six gears, the APTC wet slipper clutch is cable-actuated, final drive is via chain and the swingarm is cast aluminum. Suspension is by Kayaba, with a non-adjustable 41mm male-slider fork and a preload-adjustable single shock, both with 5.9 inches of travel. Brakes are by Brembo, with a single 330mm disc in front gripped by a 4-piston M 4.32B monobloc radial caliper and a single 245mm disc out back with a 1-piston caliper, and switchable (you can turn it off) Bosch 9.1 MP ABS is standard. Cast aluminum 10-spoke wheels, 18-inch front and 17-inch rear, are shod with Pirelli MT60 RS tires with an exclusive semi-knobby tread design.

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2015 Ducati Scrambler Icon in '62 Yellow

In keeping with the Scrambler's American roots, Ducati hosted its first-ever world press launch on U.S. soil, in Palm Springs, California. We rode the standard Icon model, which is available in Ducati Red ($8,495) or '62 Yellow ($8,595). Three factory customized versions are also available for $9,995 each (see photos below): the Classic, with Orange Sunshine paint, metal fenders with a traditional plate holder, special seat stitching and spoked wheels; the Urban Enduro, with Wild Green paint, a high fender, headlight grill, handlebar cross-brace, sump guard and spoked wheels; and the Full Throttle, with Deep Black paint and yellow accents, Termignoni exhaust, a low tapered handlebar, sport seat and cast wheels.

With a low, 31.1-inch seat (accessory low seat is just 30.3 inches) and a high, wide handlebar, the Scrambler is the most approachable bike to come out of Bologna in years. The seat is narrow and low in front, sloping upward and getting wider toward the back, with passenger grab handles cleverly hidden underneath. The upright seating position and easy reach to the handlebar is comfortable, but the seat is hard and rangy types like me will feel a bit cramped. Claimed wet weight is just 410 pounds, and the 3.6-gallon tank tucks narrowly between the knees. The rumbling engine is peppy but unintimidating, biased toward low-end torque rather than top-end power. A low first gear encourages jackrabbit starts, and short shifting keeps the engine in the meaty part of the torque curve. The transmission felt notchy in the lower gears and finding neutral was difficult, but clutch action was light and both levers are adjustable.

Weighing 410 pounds, the light and narrow Scrambler is easy to toss about.

Ascending into the San Jacinto Mountains on twisty Route 243, the Scrambler felt light and flickable, ready for any riding style or skill level. For my above-average weight, the suspension felt softly sprung, with too much fork dive under braking and a harsh ride over rough pavement, but the bike never felt squirrely. The brakes are strong and easy to modulate, and the ABS doesn't intrude too early. Turning off the ABS requires futzing with the setup menu on the all-digital instrumentation. The tachometer, a thin line that sweeps from right to left along the bottom of the single, round gauge, is small and non-intuitive, but the other info is easy to read and buttons on the left switchgear toggle through multiple functions.

After lunch, another editor and I broke away from the group and rode the last 40 miles on our own. We rode at a brisk pace down Palms to Pines Highway and then zigzagged our way through traffic back to the hotel, just two guys out for a joy ride. That's when it clicked. The Scrambler is a significant departure from the Ducati we know today, a bike where performance takes a pillion seat to playfulness, where you feel cool just for being on two wheels rather than the particular brand of bike you're riding (though the Scrambler offers plenty of Ducati's signature style).

If you're wondering why the Scrambler doesn't have high pipes, that's because the original didn't have them, and the low pipe is more passenger-friendly. But high pipes are available as accessories, as are tank panels in various colors and styles, all sorts of bolt-on goodies, luggage and a full line of apparel. Scramblers should be in dealerships by March, and the affordable, versatile, good-times machine should be a big hit.

Check out a video of the Scrambler here.

2015 Ducati Scrambler Specs
Website: ducatiusa.com
Base Price: $8,495 (Icon in Ducati Red)
Price as Tested: $8,595 (Icon in '62 Yellow)
Engine Type: Air-cooled, transverse 90-degree L-twin, desmodromic SOHC, 2 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 803cc
Bore x Stroke: 88.0 x 66.0mm
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain
Wheelbase: 56.9 in.
Rake/Trail: 24 degrees/4.4 in.
Seat Height: 31.1 in.
Claimed Wet Weight: 410 lbs. (tank 90% full)
Fuel Capacity: 3.6 gals.
MPG: NA

2015 Ducati Scrambler Icon Review

Source: https://ridermagazine.com/2014/12/12/2015-ducati-scrambler-first-ride-review/

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1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake Top Speed

1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake Top Speed

Photo: Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

VITALS

Model: 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake
Engine: 7.0-liter, twin-supercharged Ford V-8
Power: 800 hp
Torque: 462 ft lbs
Transmission: Three-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 90 inches

Carroll Shelby's personal Super Snake is a Cobra that is indisputably one of the most important and collectible Cobras of them all. Of course, any Shelby Cobra is desirable, whether it's powered by a Ford 260-, 289-, 427- or 428-ci V-8 engine. After all, just shy of 1,000 examples were produced from 1962 into 1967. Whether small- or big-block, each has its charms, though no one will pretend that a genuine 427-powered Cobra isn't the hairiest handful of them all.

This particular Shelby Cobra, a 1966 427 Super Snake, is not only important because of its staggering performance, but also because of its rarity—it's one of two built, is the only one surviving and, as mentioned, was owned by Carroll Shelby himself. It's also being offered at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale Auction to be held March 20 through 27.

The 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake once owned by Carroll Shelby himself. Photo: Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

Serial No. CSX 3015 began as one of only 23 examples of the Shelby 427 Competition Roadsters built. It was originally shipped and invoiced to Ford Advanced Vehicles in England on September 7, 1965, together with another 427 Cobra Competition and two R-model Shelby G.T.350s, to do a promotional tour in Europe. A year after its return to the United States in 1966, CSX 3015 was transformed by Shelby American into the Super Snake—Shelby called it the "Cobra to End All Cobras"—and reclassified it as a 427 Cobra Semi-Competition (SC).

Only two Super Snakes were ever made, the second originally belonging to comedian Bill Cosby. Photo: Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

That distinction turned the former track-only car into a street-legal automobile, adding bumpers, a windshield and so-called mufflers. Truth be told, many SCs saw track duty, and those owners who pressed an SC into road service had quite a beast with which to contend. What made the Super Snake especially venomous was that it carried nearly double the power of a stock Cobra 427, due in part to two Paxton superchargers under the bulging Super Snake hood. The original four-speed manual gearbox couldn't withstand the added power and torque of the engine, so Shelby had it swapped out for a three-speed automatic transmission in order to put all that power to the ground.

Carroll Shelby's 800 hp Super Snake carries a 7.0-liter Ford V-8 aided by two Paxton superchargers. Photo: Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

Only two Super Snakes were made: one for Shelby himself, and one for Shelby's friend, comedian Bill Cosby. After only one drive, Cosby returned his car, terrified by its power and aggressive manners (irony noted). Even though he's not laughing now, Cosby paid homage to the car in his 1968 comedy album 200 MPH, devoting a skit to the Super Snake. Unfortunately, that car, CSX 3303, was accidently driven into the Pacific Ocean by its eventual owner.

Carroll Shelby oversees the sale of his Super Snake at Barrett-Jackson's auction in 2007. Photo: Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

With a brace of superchargers that spooled like the world's fastest fishing reels, the 2,550-pound Super Snake catapulted from standstill to 60 mph in just a tick over 3 seconds. And that was in an era where a 6-second time was nearly unheard of. When Barrett-Jackson first sold the car at auction in 2007 (setting a record for a Shelby at $5.5 million), Carroll Shelby himself accompanied the car on stage and relayed how he once got pulled over by the Nevada Highway Patrol doing 190 mph.

The cockpit features Carroll Shelby's signature on the dash. Photo: Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

The car still wears its original body with a 1967 aluminum Super Snake hood, along with numerous original components. Importantly, it retains its 1965 date-coded engine block (5M17, December 17, 1965), along with its original headers and side pipes. And the Guardsman Blue paint is its original color.

The car was last sold in 2015. Photo: Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

Unlike some Cobras with stories and "excuses," CSX 3015 has unimpeachable pedigree and an unbroken chain of ownership. It was purchased from Shelby by singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb in 1970. After two decades, the IRS seized the car and sold it at auction to Chris Cox, who sold it to Richard Scaife in 1998, but then re-acquired it in 2006. Ron Pratte acquired the car in 2007, setting the aforementioned world-record auction price at Barrett-Jackson. The current owner acquired the car in 2015. The big question now: Will this be the first Cobra 427 to strike eight-figure territory?

1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake Top Speed

Source: https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/under-the-hood-carroll-shelby-personal-cobra-427-super-snake-barrett-jackson-scottsdale-auction-1234597919/

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