Live and Let Drive: 2008 Aston Martin DBS
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Now that Bond has had his fun with the car, I have driven the new Aston Martin DBS -- and it is good. Of course, it had better be: The DBS will go for about $265,000 when it hits our shores in March.
That said, I didn't come back from rural France -- where Aston unveiled the car -- in love. Perhaps my expectations, fueled by months of hype and, of course, "Casino Royale," were too high. Maybe my mind was fogged by jet-lag. But while I fully expected to lust after the DBS, now that I've driven it I'm unmoved.
For sure, the DBS -- the most potent Aston Martin production car ever -- is a compelling piece. Imagine, if you will, a La Perla negligee that goes 191 mph. Sex revealed in aluminum and carbon fiber. That's the DBS in a nutshell. I'd like the look at lot more, though, if the sticker were, say, under $150K. For close to 300 large the DBS seems almost too distinguished, too Prince Charles in tailored Turnbull & Asser shirt. It needs a little Mick Jagger swagger. Even the stately Rolls Phantom looks like it knows how to party like Austin Powers now and then. The DBS seems sniffy and remote in comparison.
The big 5935cc V-12 is, no question, simply awesome. Stomp on the throttle and the exhaust note detonates, a bi-valve front airbox cracks wide, cams whine; before you can say "hang on!" you're into the rev limiter. The engine is 510 stallions strong but light switch-responsive and turbine smooth. Aston claims 0 to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds (and I wouldn't be surprised if our hot shoes can improve on that number). Monster torque (420 pound-feet) makes for effortless stoplight getaways; the six-speed manual box rows smoothly. Keeping the wild rush in check are gigantic Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, six-piston calipers in front and four-piston in back, which, Aston says, improve stopping distances by 10 percent over the DB9 upon which the DBS is based.
Despite a carbon-fiber hood, decklid, and front fenders (the rest of the body is crafted in aluminum), the DBS checks in at 3750 pounds (though that's about 140 pounds less than the DB9). This is a big, heavy coupe; on the winding roads around Cahors, France, the DBS felt more "GT" than "sports car." Yet with shocks and springs 50 percent stiffer than the DB9's, the ride borders on too firm for relaxed long-distance touring. And that's in comfort mode. Switch to sport, and the adaptive Bilsteins -- which automatically switch between five different settings -- remain in their stiffest position as often as the chassis computer's ride/handling algorithm allows. In compensation, grip level is quite high. In most turns, you'll run out of nerve before the P Zeroes have even begun to speak up.
You have to wonder about the little things: The test car's nav display flickered like an old Philco, and the elaborate steel-and-sapphire "Emotion Control Unit" (a.k.a., the key), which glides into the dash accompanied by a theatrical red glow, seems tailor-made for troubles. Or how about this, 007: Optional is a limited-edition Jaeger LeCoultre AMVOX2 chronograph watch with a built-in electronic transponder; it locks and unlocks the car without a key (when in range). Very nice, Q, but the price is a tad steep: $35,000.
No doubt Aston will quickly move every one of the 500-700 DBS examples it builds this model year (about a third are headed to the U.S.). After all, there's much to like about this newest, fastest Aston Martin coupe. If I were spending $250-$300K on a sporting car, though, I'd unhesitatingly opt for the Ferrari 599 GTB -- which is far quicker, handles better, and radiates that all-important "sizzle" the buttoned-down DBS seems to lack.
Decisions, decisions. Too bad we don't all have such troubles.
Aston Martin to up production, supply James Bond with DBS
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There is good news on two fronts for lovers of British luxury sports car maker, Aston Martin. Recently, Aston has announced that it will be supplying the world's favorite secret agent, James Bond, with another Aston Martin DBS for his upcoming film, while the BBC reports that production is about to be ramped up at the Gaydon plant with the unveiling of a new design studio, slated to help reduce waiting lists for new models.
Of course, James Bond films have a storied history with Aston Martin, with a vintage DB5 featured in some of the most iconic movies in the series. A DBS and Vanquish have also been featured, and most recently, a DBS for the last Bond flick, Casino Royale -- a movie which afforded the DBS a Guinness World Record for "The Most Cannon Rolls in a Car." Fortunately, it looks as if the DBS has been treated to some much-needed servicing for its return in the next Bond film (currently under the working title Bond 22) scheduled for release in November 2008.
Also fortunate is news from a BBC report that Aston Martin chief executive Ulrich Bez is seeking to increase production from the current 7,000 cars it produces annually. Bez acknowledges that wait times can be lengthy for his company's sports cars, especially with the recent grand openings of the first Aston showrooms in Shanghai and Moscow. A Beijing showroom is scheduled to follow later this month.
Bez states that in addition to an increase in production volume, an increase in design quality will stem from the Gaydon plant. Currently, there are 1,500 employees at the state-of-the-art facility, where Aston Martin produces its own engines, underframes, and chassis. The Gaydon site opened its doors in 2003 in Warwickshire, England as the successor to the recently closed Newport Pagnell plant, a historic facility that produced Aston Martins for over 50 years.
Aston Martin DBR9 to wear classic Gulf livery at Le Mans
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Aston Martin will be back at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for 2008 with some familiar colors to motorsports enthusiasts. The two Aston Martin DBR9s that will be defending their 2007 GT1 class win will don blue the classic blue and orange Gulf Oil livery worn by such Le Mans-winning cars as the Ford GT40 in 1968 (more than a little ironic now that Aston has been sold by Ford). No doubt, the 40th anniversary of the first Le Mans victory of a Gulf sponsored car has played a part in the company's decision to sponsor this year's DBR9 efforts.
The two Aston Martin DBR9s are numbered 007 (fittingly) and produce around 600 horsepower each. Aston Martin will also provide a DBR9 V-12 engine for use in a LMP1 prototype race car fielded by Charouz Racing Systems at Le Mans this year. The Charouz entry uses a closed Lola chassis and Aston Martin Racing engineers will provide support to the team for the 24 hour race as well as during the Le Mans Series racing season. The effort is made possible by new LMP regulations that allow for the use of a GT1 class engine in a prototype chassis.
Aston has also announced that it will be contesting the GT2S class in the American Le Mans Series for the 2008 season with its recently announced bio-ethanol-powered Vantage GT2.
Acura considers adding niche products to lineup, good idea?
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Acura is reportedly looking at expanding its lineup with several models designed to fill niche segments. The latest word from American Honda, via an Automotive News report, is that a small luxury coupe to replace the long-gone CL and a retractable hardtop model are both being considered. American Honda also pointed to the separation of Honda and Acura R&D departments and Acura's foray into the racing world as part of an effort to firmly establish the Japanese premium brand as a contender in the U.S. market.
Acura's sales dropped 7.8 percent this year through the end of August, with every model save the redesigned MDX crossover showing a loss in sales compared with 2006 figures. One bright spot is the RDX small crossover. Introduced late last year as a 2007 model year vehicle, the RDX has sold some 15,000 units since launch.
Industry analysts have suggested Acura could use a flagship sedan featuring an eight-cylinder, higher-displacement engine -- perhaps based on its 3.4-liter V-8 racing currently campaigning in the American Le Mans Series. There's also good reason to believe Acura will bring back its NSX halo sports car, which may boost the automaker's image despite the model's history of losing money. The Advanced Sports Car Concept (pictured) shown at last year's Detroit auto show likely represents the early stages of that car's development.
What does Acura need to place them as a true contender alongside Lexus and Infiniti? Should Acura enter niche markets as a method of attracting more business? Why hasn't Acura maintained its position as well as other premium Japanese brands despite having virtually invented the segment? Let's hear your thoughts! Also, to read about Acura's racing efforts in the ALMS, check out this exclusive feature article.
Acura TSX will reportedly be first U.S. Honda to get diesel
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Acura's entry-level car, the TSX (the 2008 model is shown at left), will reportedly be the first U.S. Honda product to receive the automaker's new clean diesel engine. The 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel, which the Japanese automaker boasts will the cleanest diesel in the world when it debuts, will first be offered this summer on the European Honda Accord, a car with which the TSX shares a body and most of its parts.
When the Acura TSX goes on sale, it will not initially be sold with the diesel, which Automotive News reports will come in 2009. A V-6 diesel is expected to arrive in 2010, probably on the redesigned Acura TL, the Acura MDX, the Honda Pilot, and possibly the Honda Ridgeline if it is still around.
Speculation for what will power the upcoming TSX has been rampant -- suggestions for its powerplant have included the RDX SUV's turbo four as well as a naturally-aspirated four producing around 220 horsepower.
With a new TSX and TL on the way as well as a badly needed RL refresh, better times appear to be ahead for Acura.
Would you go for an Acura TSX clean diesel? Tell us in comments below.
2009 Acura RL: A grille only Acura could love
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CHICAGO - Acura loves its new RL's schnoz. The automaker calls it the "Dynamic Power Plenum" grille. Alrighty, then. It's part of Acura's attempt to get RL sales back up into the five-digits; it sold just 6262 RLs in 2007.
The '09 RL's engine is bumped to 3.7 liters, making the 300-horsepower Acura had hoped to get out of the 3.5-liter engine when the latest-generation RL launched. It has a new intake/exhaust VTEC variable-valve timing system, and the car also comes with an upgraded transmission, more responsive suspension and steering, and a more rear-drive-biased Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).
The navigation system and the XM Note feature also are enhanced. You can tell the '09 RL from its new bustle trunk and clear- and red-lens taillamps, and some new twists in the sheetmetal, particularly in front and along the sides. I figure the styling discussion will begin and end with that "Dynamic Power Plenum" grille. What do you think?
2009 Acura TSX to bow at upcoming New York auto show
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Acura has made it official: Its next-generation 2009 Acura TSX sedan will make its world debut at March's New York auto show. Based largely on the upcoming European Honda Accord which is scheduled to be unveiled a couple of weeks before at the Geneva Motor Show, the TSX is expected to be the first Honda to come with the automaker's new, much-hyped, i-DTEC clean diesel engine. The TSX will hit dealer showrooms in the spring, shortly after its New York debut.
No other information is available as of yet on the new car, but it is clearly sporting a version of the "Dynamic Power Plenum" grille that debuted to grave reviews recently on the new RL that was just shown at the Chicago auto show. At first glance, the application on the TSX is a bit more palatable then the version on Acura's flagship. Other than the new grille, the vehicle's exterior styling looks to be more of an evolutionary update. Stay tuned to MotorTrend.com for all your auto show news from Geneva and New York, with complete details on the TSX coming on March
2007 Acura RDX: Crossover package, heart of a sports car
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Our long-term Acura RDX is something special. Unlike other Motor Trend staffers, who reported a lot of tiny little gripes, I loved this pint-size CUV.
I took the RDX to Phoenix Arizona a couple weekends ago to visit some friends. Along the way, I couldn't help but notice its wonderful acceleration as I maneuvered in and around traffic. I racked up 1100 miles in just three days and averaged about 22 mpg.
I didn't notice the turbo lag many others complain about when they took it on the road. In fact, I found the 2.3-liter i-vtec turbo sporty on the highway and especially fun to drive on curvy mountain roads with little body roll. What's even more fun to use on the twisties are the steering-wheel shift paddles in sport mode.
The ride would be a bit rough for most people's standards, as Truck Trend editor Allyson Harwood pointed out in the January issue of Motor Trend. She noted "The ride is much too harsh for daily driving. It makes somewhat smooth pavement feel bumpy and is downright jarring on poorly maintained roads." I have to agree with Allyson, you can feel everything with the RDX's suspension. But I loved it because it adds to the sports-car feeling, akin to tuning a suspension for track racing. This would be the perfect CUV for people who love sports cars.
It can fit four people very comfortably and offers a deep rear cargo area and it's the perfect size for someone like me. However, I don't think I can justify the hefty $36,495 price tag that includes a "Technology Package" that consists of Bluetooth wireless telephone connectivity, a 410-watt surround-sound system, a nav setup with voice recognition, rearview camera, and real-time traffic updates, and a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate-control system. The only option I would like of the group would be the navigation. That alone is a $3500 package I can live without since the base RDX comes standard with such goodies as leather-trimmed interior, heated front seats, satellite radio, power moonroof, Xenon headlamps, and stability control.
Read these other Long-term reviews to learn more about our adventures in the Acura RDX:
Long-Term Arrival: 2008 Acura RDX
Following victories in two comparison tests -- "Crossing Over" (July, 2006) and "Dune Devils" (August, 2007) -- in which the RDX spanked the likes of BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Lincoln MKX, Mazda CX-7, and Toyota RAV4 V-6, Acura's first-ever compact crossover earned, in our estimation, an invite to join Motor Trend's long-term fleet.
Long-Term Update: 2007 Acura RDX
After accumulating 5700 miles, the RDX alerted us via its Maintenance Minder system that it required minor servicing.
Fleet Update: 2007 Acura RDX
With a little over 8000 miles on the odometer, the RDX transported photographer Brian Vance and a couple friends to Northern Nevada for a "helping of genuine off-roading" while in search of "a hot-spring tub in the East Walker River Canyon."
