2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Sportshift

While its V8 Vantage is understandably grabbing the headlines, Aston Martin has another handsome new roadster worth a look, the Sportshift.

In return for an extra $4000, Aston will replace the standard six-speed stickshift with a clutchless manual "Sportshift" system, operated by steering wheel-mounted paddles. This is the same Magneti Marelli system as used in the Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo, among others, but it's been tuned by Aston's engineers to suit the characteristics of the Vantage's 4.3-liter V-8.

There are three different shift modes from which to choose, selected by buttons on the center console. Prod the crystalline starter button, and the gearbox defaults to "Sport." In this mode and at above 5000 rpm, the gearbox will swap cogs in 240 milliseconds. This sounds rapid, until you consider that an F430 shifts in 150 milliseconds or that the F599 requires just 100 milliseconds. In the world of the bar bore, such statistics matter.

2007 Aston Martin Vantage Sportshift
Base price: $117,200
Vehicle layout: Front engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door hatch
Engine: 4.3L/380-hp/302-lb-ft DOHC 32-valve V-8
Transmission: 6-speed auto-clutch manual
Curb weight: 3600 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase: 102.4 in
Length x width x height: 172.5 x 73.5 x 49.4 in
0-60 mph: 4.8 sec
EPA CITY /HWY fuel econ: 13/19 mpg
On sale in U.S.: May 2007

"Comfort" offers slower, smoother shifts, and there's also a fully automatic option. Aston has designed some creep into the transmission in all three modes to make the Vantage easier to maneuver at low speeds. In first gear, the car creeps forward at up to four mph, even if no throttle pressure is applied. It's a useful aid for city folks, but other aspects of the 'box's behavior still need work.

In auto mode, the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts are accompanied by an awkward jolt. Automated downshifts, such as when the car approaches a junction, have a somewhat unnerving shunting motion. Aston's engineers are promising changes to the gearbox's calibration before the Sportshift goes on sale here in May.

They also are considering altering the software to prevent the system from automatically shifting up at 7000 rpm, even in Sport. This feature could prove an irritation to enthusiastic drivers, especially those who like to venture onto a test track.

At $117,200, this Vantage is far from cheap, but it's exclusive, and, thanks to the Aston-driving exploits of Mr. James Bond, it has an enviable image. It isn't quite a 911-beater, but the Sportshift transmission suits the car's character. If some of its foibles can be finessed, it'll be a welcome addition to the range. And, of course, it still makes a fine ornament.

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2008 Ford Super Duty Pickup

RVers have vehicular needs beyond those of average drivers. Especially if their needs include towing a hefty travel trailer, toy hauler or fifth-wheel. For those RV motorists, Ford claims to have the right trucks for the job, properly equipped to tow straight from the factory. If an RVer wants to tow a 24,500-lb fifth-wheel trailer, the 2008 Ford F450 Super Duty can handle it, boasting the best tow rating ever for a non-commercial-grade pickup truck. If it’s a conventional-hitch travel trailer to haul, the same truck can pull up to 16,000 lbs., again the best in its class.

From the lighter-duty F-150 to the new Super Duty F-250/350/450, Ford’s best-selling F-Series line-up has a dizzying array of body styles, bed lengths, trim levels, drivetrain options, axle ratios and available equipment. This year, Ford has completely redesigned their popular F-Series Super Duty, the first overhaul since 1998. Representing 40% of Ford F-Series sales, the Super Duty is a vital part of the Ford truck line-up, which now includes the heavy-duty truck segment’s first Class 4 pickup, the F-450. The new 2008 Super Duty trucks began shipping out of the Louisville, Kentucky, factory in early February, 2007.

To share the news of this significant new vehicle with automotive journalists, Ford carefully planned an elaborate media-only ride-and-drive event in mid-January. Ford chose Texas hill country near San Antonio to show off the new Super Duty because, 1. Texas is truck country, and 2. the weather should be pleasantly mild, even in January. Just as dozens of journalists were arriving for a bit of balmy Texas hospitality, so did a record-breaking blast of Arctic air. Combined with rain. The San Antonio Airport closed. Actually, the city of San Antonio virtually closed, under a thick layer of ice.

Ford Super Duty F-450Texas Run-Around

The group of journalists who had arrived in Dallas the previous evening were looking forward to taking the Ford corporate jet to San Antonio the next morning for a full day of truck activities at a scenic ranch about 30 miles from the airport. Instead, we awoke to snow in Dallas and a long day of delays, finally getting the jet de-iced and into the air in late afternoon. But instead of San Antonio, where the airport was still closed, we flew further south and arrived in Corpus Christi at about 5 pm, where the fleet of new trucks had been moved to greet us. We then hit the interstate for a three-hour cruise to San Antonio.

For the drive, I chose an F-450 Crew Cab 4x4 duallie with the new 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel engine and exclusive, top-of-the-line King Ranch package. My traveling companions and I first marveled about the gorgeous, butter-smooth Chaparral leather, in a rich burgundy color, embossed with the King Ranch logo. We then settled into the power captain’s seats, moved the power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, positioned the power telescoping side mirrors and started our cruise. As we drove at speeds between 70 and 80 mph, what became immediately apparent as we chatted about the truck’s new features was the ease at which we could, well, chat. We had a Ford engineer in the back seat who was a wealth of information, and we could all converse at a completely natural level. The diesel engine was remarkably quiet, even under heavy throttle. The large side mirrors produced no noticeable wind noise. Tires and road were as muted in the cabin as we’d expect in a luxury car. Our on-board engineer credited a host of improvements to the truck’s body structure, including extra sound deadening, thicker side glass, better body sealing, selected use of a composite laminated steel sheet called Quiet Steel, and extensive chassis, exhaust and engine acoustical tuning.

Ford Super Duty Lariat interiorWe couldn’t resist stopping on the side of the lightly-traveled road, and stomping the gas pedal from a dead stop all the way to 70 mph. The 8,687-lb. truck took off with urgent authority, without even a trace of visible diesel exhaust in the rearview mirror. It helps us forget those older diesel trucks – from Ford and other makes – that would clatter at an offensive level and leave a smokescreen in their wake under such acceleration. In satisfying contrast, the new truck powers smartly up to speed without drama, and the Torqshift five-speed automatic transmission, with new three-plate torque converter, shifts with impressive fluidity.

Thanks to new Ultra-Low-Sulfur-Diesel fuel and the new engine’s diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter, the new 32-valve, 6.4-liter V8 Power Stroke turbodiesel engine is the company's cleanest, quietest pickup diesel ever, with particulate (soot) emissions equivalent to a gasoline engine. The powerplant delivers 350 horsepower and a whopping 650 lb.-ft. of torque, with excellent low-end torque – including peak torque at only 2,000 rpm – thanks to dual sequential turbochargers. A high-pressure Electronic Variable Response Turbo spools up first to provide quick, lag-free response, followed by a larger low-pressure turbo that provides added airflow at peak power and torque. The effect is seamless power all through the rev range. It's also the first pickup engine in North America to use a high-precision, common-rail fuel injection system featuring piezo-electric injectors.

During our drive, we made good use of the trucks’ navigation system, especially as we neared San Antonio, where many Interstate overpasses were still closed because of ice. Although most surface roads had dried and were no longer treacherous, we engaged four-wheel drive – simply by turning a dial – for the occasional patch of ice we encountered as the nav system guided us as directly as possible to the hotel.

Ford Super Duty trioRanch Chores

Ford announced during dinner that it had reorganized its program, again, and that we would still be going to the ranch – at 6:15 am the following morning. Groggy, but adhering to the new schedule, we drove to the hill-country ranch just in time for sunrise. Rather than the BBQ lunch planned for the previous day, the crew of chuck-wagon cooks whipped up a hearty breakfast, accompanied by a lively five-member Texas country band – probably their first 6:45 am gig. The surrounding landscape was absolutely stunning, still covered in ice. The sun rose and the world glistened. Thickly frozen grass crunched underfoot. Everything that had been left at the ranch overnight, such as cutaway chassis and parked trucks on display, had become surreal ice sculptures.

A small fleet of trailers for towing demonstrations had settled into deep, thick mud. But the show must go on, and so it did. We were all surprised at the ease in which the 4x4 Super Duty trucks simply pulled the heavy trailers directly out of the goo. Freeing the trailers gave us a chance to test-drive a hilly paved-road route towing a variety of different weights, ranging from a 10,000-lb. box trailer to an 18,000-lb. fifth-wheel RV.

The Power Stroke's abundant torque became our best friend once again as acceleration from a standstill and full-throttle passing power were smooth and reassuringly easy, regardless of which trailer we were towing. Sure, we could tell there were a few extra tons of weight behind us, but the truck’s response and ease of driving were exactly what we would want for a relaxed, long-distance journey. At the end of the shift lever, the selectable tow-haul mode adjusts transmission to match towing and driving conditions. When descending hills, the TowCommand system helps to maintain speed by engaging engine braking or downshifting as necessary. Unlike some “Tow” systems that just seem to lock the transmission out of top gear, the Ford TowCommand actively seemed to anticipate what we needed, helping to improve throttle response, reduce gear hunting and utilizing each of the five gears appropriately.

In addition, each test truck was equipped with a redesigned integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC). Ford has engineered their new factory-installed TBC to be part of the truck’s own computer network, using braking input, vehicle speed and ABS logic to balance the performance of the truck brakes and electric trailer brakes. The driver can adjust the truck/trailer brake balance and sensitivity, shown in a gain/output digital display.

Ford Super Duty in the mud bogThrough the Mud

The Ford team borrowed a nearby construction site to create an off-road torture course, which became a slimy, muddy bog. We drove an F-250 with FX4 Off-Road package and venerable 362-hp 6.8-liter V-10 Triton gas engine through the deep water, thick mud and over rocky mounds and failed to get it stuck. The FX4 Off-Road package includes such items as limited-slip rear axle, specially tuned shocks, skid plates, wheel upgrades, body-colored grille and more.

In addition to the V-10 engine, a base 300-hp 5.4-liter V8 gas engine is also available. Both are essentially carryover from last year. But neither provides the satisfying performance, efficiency and durability of the new Power Stroke diesel. Truck buyers agree: After the first month of sales, the new ultra-clean diesel engine was the run-away favorite, accounting for 75% of Super Duty sales.

During our testing, we tried out an assortment of Super Duty trucks in a variety of situations, and came away most impressed with these features:

Ford Super Duty mirror

Ford Super Duty TBC

Ford Super Duty bed extender

Ford Super Duty MP3 jack

Powerscope Mirrors: The industry’s best trailer tow mirrors are sufficiently large, and they telescope up to 2.75 inches further away from the body at the touch of a button. Another button folds them in, tight against the cab. They also include heated glass, a convex spotter mirror, integrated turn signals and clearance lamps. Simply brilliant.

Ford TailGate StepIntegrated Trailer Brake Control: Described above, almost all Super Duty trucks are ordered with this optional feature, located on the lower dashboard panel. Also available on the same panel are four prewired auxiliary Upfitter Switches, ready to operate heavy-duty accessories.

TailGate Step: Fully integrated an d virtually invisible when not in use – the exclusive TailGate Step slides out of the lowered tailgate and flips down to make it easy to climb into or down out of the bed to load or unload cargo. A grab handle folds up for extra ease. The step holds up to 1,000 lbs., and the grab handle can support up to 300 lbs. Strong, simple and clever.

Stowable Bed Extender: With the tailgate down, this strong, lightweight polypropylene gate swings to the end of the bed to extend storage space. Or it can be used to section off part of the bed. But what makes it unique and extra-practical, is that it separates into two pieces that fold and snap securely to the sides of the bed when not in use.

Entertainment Features: An auxiliary input jack for MP3 players is standard. A wide variety of optional equipment includes a DVD-based navigation system, Audiophile premium sound system, Sirius Satellite Radio, in-dash 6-disc CD changer and rear-seat DVD system with two sets of wireless headphones and remote control.

Rapid-Heat: We know from experience how long it takes a typical diesel engine to warm up and finally provide heat to the cabin. The new Power Stroke diesel overcomes excessive shivering with its optional Rapid Heat supplemental cab heater that provides quick warm-up on cold mornings.

Ford Super Duty storageInterior Storage: Pockets, trays, cubbyholes, cupholders, storage bins and thoughtful compartments are everywhere, just where we like.

Interior Design: The quality of materials, stylish luxury details and bold style project a well-crafted, high-end ambiance that Ford likes to call “Tough Luxury.” Super Duty chief designer Pat Schiavone explains: “Think of it like a modern kitchen, in a way. A kitchen can be very stylish and look very expensive, but it also must be very functional. It was that kind of thinking that drove tough luxury.”

More content and greater capability naturally translates to a higher price, right? Amazingly, Ford went the other way, and actually lowered the base price. The base MSRPs (including destination and delivery) for the 2008 F-250 Super Duty range from $23,305 for a Regular Cab XL 4x2 model to $38,425 for a high-line F-250 Crew Cab Lariat 4x4. The same configurations for the 2007 model year were priced at $23,455 and $38,670, respectively.

Since its debut in 1948, Ford has sold more than 32 million F-Series trucks around the world. It has also been the best-selling truck in America for 30 consecutive years and the best-selling vehicle for 25 years in a row. The well-engineered Super Duty will certainly contribute to Ford keeping its top truck title. We came away from icy Texas with a new respect for nature, and appreciation for the Ford Super Duty’s capability to handle it.


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SPYKER C12 ZAGATO

Geneva, Switzerland, 6 March 2007 Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars, and Andrea Zagato, CEO of Zagato, today unveiled the Spyker C12 Zagato at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show. Norihiko Harada, Zagatos Automotive Chief Designer, and Muller co-operated closely to design this limited edition of 24 sports cars to be delivered from March 2008 onwards. The world premiere of this ultra-exclusive version of the C12 range celebrates Spykers entry into the world of Formula One and marks the first integration of design elements and styling cues from the Spyker F8-VII Formula One car into the Spyker road car range. This point was underlined by the unveiling of the car being performed by Spykers Formula One race driver, Adrian Sutil.

Partnership Spyker and Zagato

Victor Muller comments:

At the age of 18 I acquired my first Zagato bodied car: a Lancia Flavia Zagato rally car in dire need of restoration. Ever since that date, some 30 years ago, I have been in love with the unique and distinctive designs penned by this noble design house. Many Zagato bodied cars have followed the Lancia Flavia and I am proud to still have a number of Zagatos in my collection.

The co-operation and partnership between Spyker and Zagato is entirely logical if one looks at the rich heritage both companies share in the fields of aviation and racing. A better fit of aesthetics, skill and passion would be hard to find.

Two brothers, Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker, coach builders in Amsterdam, built their first Benzengined motor car in 1898 and won immediate acclaim for the supreme craftsmanship of their bodywork. In the period prior to World War I, a worldwide slump in the luxury car market meant that Spyker had to diversify its production, and so it merged with the Dutch Aircraft Factory N.V. This combined company evolved its business model and started developing and building aircraft. After the war Spyker was able to return to its roots and resumed car production in 1919. True to its motto Nulla tenaci invia est via (For the tenacious no road is impassable), Spyker continued building record-breaking cars which now featured extensive aircraft influences, including sophisticated aerodynamics absorbed from the aircraft building years.

Similarly, Zagato was established at the end of World War I by Ugo Zagato, putting aircraft industry construction techniques to use in the expanding market for passenger vehicles. Just like the Spyker cars, Zagatos cars were advanced in design and became synonymous with light weight and excellent aerodynamics.

Spyker C12 Zagato: the rationale

Victor Muller continues: Andrea and myself have known each other for many years and met at events such as Pebble Beach Concours dElegance and Villa dEste Concorso dEleganza on numerous occasions. Last April, at Villa dEste, we sat down and discussed the increasing market demand for truly one-off and limited edition super sport cars. In a certain sense the modern market is not unlike the 1930s, where wealthy customers would order exotic bespoke designs from high-end coach builders on Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Delage, Delahaye and Isotta-Fraschini chassis, just to mention a few.

Zagato established its name by designing exquisite cars for Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari in particular, but it is probably the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato that best represents the artistic expertise of what they do. Andrea and I agreed to meet each other in Arese and to define what a Spyker Zagato would have to embody. In view of market demand, it was decided to use Spykers flagship chassis, the C12, as a basis -its space-frame being exceptionally suitable for crafting a bespoke body onto.

After the initial design meeting in July 2006, it became apparent that Spyker would succeed in acquiring the Midland Formula 1 team and design activities were suspended until early October when that transaction had been consummated. With the F1 team part of the Spyker Group it was decided that the C12 Zagato should embody as many of the Formula 1 design cues as practically possible so as to set a new design vision for future Spyker road car models.

In the months following, Spyker and Zagato finalized the design and the manufacturing of the C12 Zagato was entrusted to Spykers long time fabrication partner, Coventry Prototype Panels in Coventry, UK. Under the guidance of Brendan OToole, CPPs Managing Director, and tienne Beijersbergen van Henegouwen, Spykers Project Manager, the vehicle was built by a dedicated Spyker and CPP crew from aluminium in an amazing 4 weeks.

Spyker C12 Zagato: the vehicle

The Spyker C12 Zagato is an all aluminium rear wheel drive sports car, based on the Spyker C12 Spyder. The C12 is powered by the 6.0 liter, 12 cylinder, 500 bhp W12 engine from Volkswagen AG and accelerates from 0-100 km (0-60 mph) in 3.8 seconds. The Spyker C12 Zagato is equipped with a six-speed manual or automatic gear box with F1 style shifting, Chronoswiss instruments and a Zagato designed full leather interior with brushed aluminium instrument panel. The C12 Zagato has an aluminium body with stainless steel roof rails and has many F1 derived design details such as an F1 nose, air scoop, chimneys, mirrors, rain light, fuel flap and diffuser. It has a panoramic roof that features the Double Bubble, a typical Zagato style element. The Spyker C12 Zagato has a length of 4.5 m, a width of 2.02 m excluding mirrors, a height of 1.25 m and weighs 1480 kg. The fuel tank capacity is 70 litres (15.4 gallons). Top speed is 310 km/h (193 mph).

The Spyker and Zagato Atelier brands perfectly align because of their common aeronautical origins and because of the shared passion of Victor Muller and myself for sports cars states Andrea Zagato. Nevertheless Victor, before starting this extraordinary adventure with Spyker, was a Zagato collector owning cars like the Flaminia SS and TZ. Together with our neo-classical approach, this Spyker C12 Zagato shows the capabilities of Zagato Atelier for innovative and non conventional solutions.

Norihiko Harada, designer of the new Spyker C12 Zagato, adds: All Spyker cars have their own very unique style: the aeronautical retrospective style co-exists with craftsmanship and elegance. The new Zagato body becomes even more unique, aggressive and sensual at the same time. It features a new double bubble panoramic roof , F1 influenced nose and air intakes, chimney and a coda tronca, the typical Zagato cut off tail end.

Maintaining Spykers styling philosophy, Zagato design put all these elements together and created an extremely stimulating example of contemporary exotic high performance sports car by using typical modern Zagato lines which started from the Raptor Zagato in 1996.

The Spyker C12 Zagato will retail for EUR 495,000 (excluding any taxes, ex factory).

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