Aston Martin Vanquish Volante: the ultimate convertible super G

• The first Volante to feature a full carbon fibre body
• 6.0-litre V12 engine produces 573 PS; 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds (estimated)
• Multi-layer lightweight fabric roof folds in 14 seconds

 Aston Martin today unveils the Vanquish Volante – a stunning new luxury sports car that brings the thrill of open top motoring to the super GT class.

Alongside its coupe sibling, launched to worldwide acclaim last autumn, the Vanquish Volante sits at the pinnacle of the luxury British car maker’s sports car line-up.

Benefitting from all of the technical, engineering and design advances present in the Vanquish coupe, the new Volante enhances the driving experience still further through the option of exciting convertible driving.

Instantly becoming one of the most beautiful cars in its class, Vanquish Volante crucially retains the coupe’s dynamic character and sporting capability. It boasts the same new AM11 6.0-litre V12 engine as the coupe and the same blistering performance figures, meaning the 0-62 mph sprint is despatched in just 4.1 seconds (estimated) while the top speed stands at 183 mph.

Vanquish Volante is the first fully carbon fibre-skinned Volante in the brand’s 100-year history, while also being the stiffest Volante body structure yet created by the engineering team at Aston Martin’s global HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. The new car’s triple-skin lightweight fabric roof takes just 14 seconds to fold.

Announcing the arrival of the Vanquish Volante Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said: “This car is what luxury super GT driving is all about. Great performance, fantastic style and exhilarating Volante motoring in one superb package.

“Aston Martin is celebrating 100 years of excellence in 2013, and the arrival of this new sports car – our ultimate Volante – underlines that our mission to make the next 100 years even more successful is starting perfectly.”

The design of Vanquish Volante represents the latest take on Aston Martin’s iconic visual language. Styling cues such as the elegant waist, elongated side strakes and LED rear light blades are derived from the One-77 supercar while the folding fabric roof sits beneath a tonneau and decklid that have been aerodynamically tuned for optimum performance.

The windscreen, meanwhile, is now full height – a first for Aston Martin – which means that the glass runs up to meet the fabric roof, thereby achieving a particularly clean transition.

The Vanquish Volante’s ‘suit’ of carbon fibre panels cloaks a cabin that is both sophisticated and comfortable. The 2+2 cabin is elegantly attired in authentic and luxurious materials: full grain Luxmil leather with optional quilting, metal controls and satin chrome trim underscore the car’s well-appointed nature.

Each body panel on the car is constructed from carbon fibre not just because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, but also for its flexibility of form. This not only reduces mass but means that fewer individual body panels are required – reducing joints and contributing to a more coherent and svelte shape.

As practical as it is well-dressed, the Vanquish Volante boasts a boot that’s fully 50% larger than that of the previous DBS Volante. It measures 279 litres – roof up or down – and makes the new Aston Martin the perfect choice for continent-crossing grand tours as well as daily drives.

Perhaps one of the most striking interior design elements is the centre stack with refinements providing a more elegant form that is also more intuitive and accessible for both driver and front seat passenger.

 A direct descendent of the One-77 centre stack, the Vanquish and Vanquish Volante’s set-up retains familiar elements such as the ECU engine start button and glass gear selection buttons while featuring a new infotainment system and a significantly more user-friendly design.

The facia trim now stretches down the whole centre stack and is manufactured from a single piece of material giving a uniform finish.

The user interface boasts a simple, ergonomically efficient layout as well as technological updates that make it the brand’s most advanced in-car system available today.

Capacitive glass buttons with illumination and haptic feedback feature in the rest of the centre stack’s switchgear. Haptic feedback is more commonly found in touch-screen mobile phones and Aston Martin became among the first significant luxury car manufacturers in the world to use the technology in a series production model when it debuted on Vanquish coupe in 2012.

Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman explained: “Vanquish Volante is a sports car, of course, but more even than that it is the ultimate Volante. A car which follows a long line of elegant Aston Martin convertibles, this super GT is sculpted to convey sophistication as much as raw power.

“The aerodynamically shaped tonneau, the proportions of the folding fabric roof, the luxurious nature of the cabin – these elements have been pored over by the Design team, working with our Engineering colleagues, to ensure we deliver the aesthetic appeal for which Aston Martin is renowned around the world.”

Under its curvaceous carbon fibre bonnet the Vanquish Volante comprises the latest generation AM11 naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine which drives the rear wheels via a Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic gearbox.

The V12’s power peak of 573 PS (565 bhp) arrives at 6,750 rpm while the torque peak of 620 Nm (457 lb ft) is available at 5,500 rpm. These numbers translate into performance that matches the Vanquish coupe’s and ensures the new car supports its Super GT billing.

The dynamics have been tuned precisely, with new springs and damper settings calibrated to deliver the same crisp handling yet compliant ride as the coupe.

Strenuous efforts have been made to limit the new car’s weight; contributing to its impressive performance, agile handling and compelling power-to-weight ratio. The combination of controlled weight, near-perfect 51:49 weight distribution, a powerful V12 engine and a performance-honed six-speed transmission unite to make the Vanquish Volante as rewarding on the move as it is beautiful standing still.

Like its coupe counterpart, the Vanquish Volante uses the latest generation of Aston Martin’s class-leading VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture, a lightweight bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding strength and rigidity. In this iteration, the Vanquish now includes the addition of significant semi-structural carbon fibre components, as well as the use of bonding derived directly from the latest aerospace technologies.

As well as being light, strong and flexible in its application, the gen4 VH architecture is also extremely rigid. The new Vanquish Volante is, in fact, 14% torsionally stiffer than the DBS Volante which preceded it, making it highly resistant to flex and allowing for responsive and predictable handling.

This rigid structure also provides an ideal foundation from which the suspension can control the vehicle effectively, further highlighting the importance of the body structure and the effect it has on the dynamic performance of the car.

Aston Martin’s engineering teams have worked particularly hard to minimise the weight outside the wheelbase of the new car to reduce yaw inertia. As a result, carbon fibre has been used extensively in the rear structure and the weight of the aluminium front structure has been limited.

To take full advantage of its precise and rigid architecture, the Vanquish Volante employs a battery of sophisticated technologies including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Positive Torque Control (PTC).

Aston Martin’s Adaptive Damping System (ADS) allows the driver to switch between three distinct damping modes: Normal, Sport and Track, delivering instant adjustment of the car’s ride and handling characteristics.

The ADS automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times, with the ability to respond quickly to different driving conditions. The different damping modes available help significantly broaden the Vanquish Volante’s character, adapting its set-up to suit the driver’s mood and requirements. Thus it can be a cruising GT car in Normal mode with the capacity to morph into an assertive sports car in Sport and Track modes.

The damper settings are determined by an electronic control unit which takes sensor readings from the car’s systems including throttle position, brake position, steering wheel rotation and vehicle speed. This data establishes the prevailing driving conditions and the demands the driver is making on the car.

Steering, too, is crisp, precise and communicative. The rack’s quick 15:1 ratio – 2.6 turns lock-to-lock – is allied to speed sensitive power assistance that’s tuned to deliver optimum assistance.

The car’s braking system features third generation Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) parts to deliver shorter stopping distances with resistance to fade in even the most demanding driving conditions. CCM brakes are also lighter than a conventional system, reducing the weight of the car overall and, in particular, the unsprung weight and rotational masses, further enhancing the performance of the suspension.

The front brakes use 398 mm x 36 mm CCM discs with larger front pads and six-piston callipers from the One-77, while the rear brakes use 360 mm x 32 mm CCM discs with four-piston callipers.

Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez added: “Vanquish Volante, like the Vanquish coupe before it, uses the very latest technologies employed in the very best ways to create a sports car which is easy to control, and to enjoy dynamic performance at the finest level.

“This is not simply a great-looking car – this is a great car engineered and crafted for the connoisseur by people dedicated to delivering exceptional sports cars with clearly defined characters.”

Priced from £199,995 RRP in the UK; €264,995 RRP in Germany; $297,995 MSRP in the United States and $323,974 RRP in Dubai, first deliveries of the new sports car are expected to begin in the UK and Continental Europe late in 2013.

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Radical’s SR8 RX has set a remarkable new lap record at the three-day 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (www.cpop.co.uk), which finished yesterday.  Driven by professional race driver Robbie Kerr, the British-built Radical completed a lap of the 1.2-mile circuit in just 55.29 seconds, smashing the previous track record by a significant 6.6 seconds.  In second place, and hot on the heels of the Radical, was the Caterham SP/300.R, finishing with a time of just 56.53 seconds.

This year saw 139 cars and bikes taking to the Cholmondeley track over the course of the three-day event, divided into 13 race classes.  The Radical SR8 RX was entered into the hotly-contested ‘Racing Saloons & Track Day Cars’ class, which enjoyed the fastest lap times during the Pageant due to the track-focused nature of the cars competing.

The fastest speed seen through the Pageant of Power’s speed trap was 129mph, recorded by the Radical as it sped towards its record-breaking time.  In setting the new fastest lap, Kerr made good use of his extensive race experience; he is one-time winner of the British Formula 3 Championship and a podium-finisher at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007

A special race class was created in 2013 to celebrate Aston Martin’s Centenary year, with 14 cars from the iconic British manufacturer – from 1934 to 2013 – competing against each other for first place.  In a race class that included the famous DB4 GT, the fastest Aston Martin of the weekend was the brand’s new Vanquish, topping the leader board with a lap of 72.51 seconds.

James Hall, Event Director for the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, commented, “Given last year was such a close-run contest, we expected fierce competition in 2013.  Radical’s Robbie Kerr had a fight on his hands contesting the title against the array of impressive machinery, each with exactly the same aim, but it was great to see someone set a new lap record.  The drivers were on a mission to take on the new title, and certainly put on an exhilarating show in doing so.”

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STORY + PHOTOS
Video by Nic Jimenez, Paul Nguyen, Alex Bucur and Dustin St. Hilaire.
Music is “Fracture” by Danny McCarthy

The post Everyday Supercar: Audi R8 appeared first on eGarage.

The Audi R8 is the perfect everyday supercar; it’s precise, composed, focused. It is even Iron Man’s ride of choice. The steering input provides instant feedback to the driver. The 30:70 split quattro all-wheel drive system allows the tail to kick out when pushed but also helps the driver remain in full control. The throttle is snappy; it takes the slightest inputs and reacts instantly. The massive carbon ceramic brakes stop the R8 with the power of a super hero. The magnetic suspension is firm and helps keep the car well planted.

Oh, and the engines are the stuff of legends. The V10 is the same exact power plant that comes in the R8 LMS racecars. The monstrous 550-hp 5.2-liter V10 beast is engineered to produce the greatest symphony ever written–while positioned just a few inches from your head. The 4.2-liter V8 has been increased to 430-hp and paired with the 6-Speed manual makes it one of the most affordable supercars available.

Audi invited us to Malibu, California to spend the day driving and putting the all-new 7-speed S Tronic through its paces. Stepping out of the back seat of a brand new Audi A8L TDI and onto the Stone Manor driveway I was greeted by a line up of 7 2014 R8s.

Audi isn’t new to dual-clutch gearboxes. It has been using them for many years with great success across their whole range. This is the first time one is feeding the quattro all-wheel drive system of the R8. The new 7-Speed S-Tronic, which swaps gears faster than your brain can process the changes, is incredible. Driving normally the gear changes are smooth and the only indication of the switch is the engine RPMs. The S-Tronic is very happy driving around town at normal speeds.

Unlike the past R Tronic gearbox, which the S Tronic has replaced, is a transmission that’s easy to live with everyday. The R Tronic, which was best when driven in manual mode, wasn’t very smooth when drive in Auto. When in M mode it was a great gearbox when driven hard. The new S-Tronic has rounded out the car to make it a truly everyday super car.

My first car of the day was a Samoa Orange R8 V8 Spyder. I couldn’t think of a better way to start the day. I got in, turned the key and the V8 roared to life. The second thing I did was to open the roof.  Which, would later lead to the optional sunburn.

Many Spyders variants have a tendency to weigh more than their coupé variants. Audi has put a lot of effort into make sure this isn’t an issue. Starting with the all aluminum space frame, which is designed from the start to accommodate the lack of a fixed roof. For 2014, Audi made some additional changes to the Spyder: the weight of the top has been reduced to just over 92 pounds thanks to the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), aluminum and magnesium.

I moved the gear selector to A1 and followed a Sepang Matte Blue V10 Plus out of the driveway and into the Malibu Canyons. This would my first test of the new S-Tronic gearbox. The first thing I noticed was just how smooth the gear changes were driving in automatic and with the sport button off. There was no fuss, extra noise, and abrupt shifts, just a nice smooth drive. Next, I activated the sport button and the car woke up. The exhaust note became more apparent, the gears were being held longer, the shifts were quicker and it would automatically rev-match downshift as I was slowing down. Clicking the gear selector to the left switched over to M1. Pressing the throttle the car quickly climbs towards the red line before I pulled the upshift paddle for an incredible fast shift. With the combination of the Sport button and Manual mode the Spyder was quickly transformed into a topless rocket ship.

The latest version of the R8, the R8 V10 plus, the next top model and the most advanced R8 road car to date. Audi engineers have managed to reduce the weight by 110 lbs. when compared to the R8 V10 Coupé. A majority of the R8 V10 pluses weight savings comes from Audi’s use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). Many of the exterior pieces including the sideblades, side mirror housings, front spoiler and the rear diffuser are all constructed using CFRP. The weight savings and extra power was quickly apparent especially when driving it back-to-back with the R8 V10 Coupé.

Driving the Plus through the Canyon was pure bliss. With the sport button engaged, manual mode selected the car really comes to life. I never once felt as if I had taken the car to the edge as when you push the R8 the edge seems to always keep it’s distance. Some people may fault the car for this reason but I only see it as a positive. A driver shouldn’t have to fear his car to enjoy it and the R8 could be enjoyed from the edge to the grocery store parking lot. The monstrous 5.2-liter V10 in the Plus is also increased by 25-hp over the V10 Coupé brining it to 550-hp. 0-60 arrives in 3.5-seconds which is even faster than the previous R8 GT. The extra power and the new S Tronic gearbox make this possible.

The R8 is a timeless car that everybody can enjoy. It’s able to quickly adapt to any driving condition and situation that you can find yourself in. With the quick press of a button or the sliding of a gear selector you can quick transform the R8 from a track monster to an everyday supercar.

Near the end of my time with the R8s, I pulled over at an overlook to admire the view and to listen to the sounds of the other R8s filling the canyon. The unique sound of the harmonic Audi R8s echoing off of the canyon walls was a perfect time for retrospect. It is one thing to going into this day thinking that it might just be the greatest day that I’ve experienced professionally, it is another thing altogether to look back on the day that just happened and realize that it actually was.

The Audi R8 is truly the everyday supercar. It has the looks, the power, and the engineering. And oh, it has the sound too, that sound, which I won’t ever forget. If you have the means, I highly recommend making everyday like the one I just experienced.

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Summer is quickly approaching and with Father’s Day on June 16th we are seeing a fresh new batch of products from the automotive world.  Whether you’re buying your father a last minute gift or want to share an Automotive experience with him, here is eGarage’s quick fix for any wrench turning, track slumming, motor junky father.

VW MINI BUS TEE: $19.95 |  Mclaren TEAM Wallet: £17.95 |  Aston Martin CC100 iPhone Cover: £ 6.66  | FLYING SPUR MONEY CLIP: £65.00 |  Mercedes-Benz Jersey Pullover Hoody: $65.00 |

Bentley Racing Espresso Set: £70.00 | BMW BIKE Rucksack: EUR 79.95 | Porsche Espresso Cup 4 Set: $120.00  | Porsche Ice Cube Tray: $19.00 | Porsche Martini Racing FlipFlops: $65.00 | Bentley Racing Espresso Cup 4 Set: £70.00 | Contour Roam2 POV Camera: $199.00  |  Nürburgring Grillset: EUR 17.90 | eGarage Motorhead Skull Tee: $30.00

If Dad is in need of a trip this year, there’s no better place to be than Monterey, California for the Monterey Historics and Pebble Concours d’Elegance.

General Admission Tickets, which include parking, shuttle service, and program, are $225 in advance and $275 on day of show. Children under the age of 12 are admitted at no charge when accompanied by an adult.

Club d’Elegance Tickets, which include VIP patron badge, VIP parking and shuttle service, a full breakfast, an elegant buffet luncheon, a signed poster and other commemorative gifts, are $600.
Pebble Beach Tickets 

 eGarage Video from Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Pirelli Exclusive Rubber Wristband Set: $18.57

An official product of the Pirelli Collection, exclusively available at the F1 Store. Grip and performance of the P Zero and Cinturato tyres, there’s only one question. Which tyre are you? 

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Porsche celebrates 50 years of the 911 with exclusive limited edition model, Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition

Stuttgart. The Porsche 911 resolves apparent contradictions like no other sports car – such as between tradition and innovation or between exclusivity and high social acceptance, and of course between performance and efficiency. And so, Porsche is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 911 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt with a special anniversary model based on the 911 Carrera S: like the original 911, the 911 50th Anniversary Edition is a coupé with a flat-six rear engine and rear wheel drive. Its efficient performance, active sport suspension – and special body have current relevancy: the anniversary 911 features the wide body, which is typically reserved for the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 models. This special edition will be limited to 1963 cars, a number that represents the year of the 911 world premiere.

Porsche will present the limited edition model in time for the 50th anniversary of the 911 at the IAA motor show in Frankfurt, which opens its gates to the public on September 12, 2013. In 1963, Porsche presented the original model to the public at this leading international show for the automotive industry. Since its first presentation – initially as the type 901 – the sports car icon has excited automotive fans across the globe, and today it is considered the reference for all other sports cars. Since making its debut in 1963, the model series has progressively developed without interruption. In the process, the unique character of the 911 was always preserved. The result of this evolution over a 50-year period – which included countless race victories as well – is a sports car that fully embodies the authenticity of the Porsche brand. Its DNA is reflected in all Porsche models.

This limited edition of the 400 hp (294 kW) 911 Carrera S includes features that have contributed to the 50-year success story of the 911. For example, the limited edition includes Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with special tuning to complement its increased track width and to add support to the exceptional cornering dynamics of the 911. The sport exhaust system outputs a fitting emotional sound. Special 20-inch wheels are a visual tribute to the legendary “Fuchs” wheels and are finished in matte black paint with machine-polished centres. Chrome trim strips on the front air inlets, the fins of the engine compartment grille and the panel between the rear lights emphasise the distinctive appearance of this limited edition model. Another technical highlight of the car’s equipment is the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) with bi-xenon headlights and dynamic cornering lights

Two unique colours are available for the anniversary 911, a darker graphite grey and a lighter geyser grey metallic. In addition black monochrome is also available. Each of the cars has a two-tone 3D-effect badge on the rear lid with the numbers “911 50”. This is repeated in three colour embroidery on the headrest and in two colours as a logo on the tachometer and the aluminium door sill plates. It can also be found on the cup holder panel  together with the limited edition number of the individual vehicle. Other exterior characteristics of the special model are high-gloss window frames and sport design exterior mirrors on the doors panels.

There are tributes to the original 911 in the interior as well: green labelling on the instruments with white pointer needles and silver caps on the instrument pivot pins, just like 50 years ago. Another special feature is the centre panels of the leather seats, which are designed with a fabric pattern reminiscent of the “Pepita” tartan design from the 1960s. The full-leather interior is designed in agate grey or black with decorative stitching, some in contrasting colour. The driver and front passenger experience typical 911 driving fun in 14-way sport seats or optional 18-way sport seats plus. The gear shift or selector lever – which matches the decorative panels on the dashboard, doors and centre console in brushed aluminium – comes from the Porsche Exclusive program.

The 911 50th Anniversary Edition sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (4.3 with PDK) and can reach a top speed of 300 km/h (298 with PDK). The car’s NEDC combined fuel consumption is 9.5 l/100 km (8.7 with PDK), which equates to CO2 emissions of 224 g/km (205 with PDK). The limited edition models will be available at Porsche dealers starting September 23, 2013, and in Germany they will cost 121,119 euros including VAT and country-specific features.

Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition: Fuel consumption City 13.8–12.2 l/100 km; Highway 7.1–6.2 l/100 km; Combined 9.5–8.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 224–205 g/km

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This feature is from the 2012 HRE Wheels open house

Upcoming HRE Wheels Open House

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Last month, while on a trip to Italy, Drew and I made the journey to preview the new Pagani factory as it nears completion. Unbenownst to us, we would also be acquainted with 2 examples of the new Pagani Zonda Revolucion. Photos and videos do not do this Automotive perfection justice as it is truly a masterfully engineered work of speed and sculptured art. This has to be Horacio Pagani’s greatest creation to date.

Pagani Zonda Revolucion is the ultimate experience for individuals who want to experience the thrill of an extreme track, in a safe and intuitive machine. Pagani Zonda Revolucion, like all creatures coming out of the Atelier in San Cesario sul Panaro, is tailor made. It is an object where art and science blend to create a perfect synthesis of technology, performance and aesthetics.

The new masterpiece signed by Horacio Pagani, it is the evolution of the species, the revolution in the concept of art applied to speed.  Pagani Automobili unveiled the final version of the Pagani Zonda Revolucion to clients and family members during Vanishing Point 2013 – the international Pagani gathering.

The central monocoque is carbon-titanium, the needle on the scale stops at 1070 kg. The AMG Mercedes engine is an evolution of the Zonda R powerplant. The 6.0-liter V12 now develops an output of 800 hp and 730 Nm of torque, resulting in a power to weight ratio of 748hp/ton.

The 6 speed magnesium transversal and sequential gearbox changes gears in 20ms. The traction control developed by Bosch with 12 different settings and the renewed ABS system, allows the driver to adapt the behavior of the car to his driving style.

The Zonda R program has always represented the highest expression of the technology at Pagani Automobili. The aerodynamics feature important innovations, like new deflectors on the front bonnet, as well as a vertical stabilizer mounted on the rear bonnet.Pagani Zonda Revolucion also features a DRS (Drag-Reduction-System) on the rear wing.

The system has two different operating modes, both can be activated by the driver at any time. The manual system is controlled with the DRS button on the steering wheel. The rear wing changes between maximum and minimum downforce settings, at the occurrence of a lateral acceleration of + / – 0.8 g and a minimum speed of 100 km / h. Holding down the DRS for more than two seconds engages the DRS to work automatically according to the algorithms developed by the Pagani Automobili engineers during the development phase. The result is a car that is always fast, a strong performer able to take on any circuit in the world.

The Brembo braking system adopts new cutting edge F1-tecnology derived CCMR discs. With a weight saving of 15% compared to the previous CCM discs, the CCMR offer higher stiffness and lower operating temperatures on extreme track use. This contributes to the life of the disc which is increased by four times, with no sign of fading and a significant overall increase in braking power.

(source: Pagani Automobili)

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2013 Villa d’Este — 200+ Photos

There are some cities in the world like Cernobbio that seem to have been created to enjoy and relax. The quietness is disturbed during three days in May with the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, taking place this year Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May 2013.

 I decided to get to Villa d’Este on Friday early morning because it’s the day dedicated to photoshoots. I was a bit scared about the weather in Italy as it is Monaco where I’m living because it wasn’t very good for the month of May. I was scared because if it’s raining some cars will not leave the deep garage at Villa d’Este where they are sleeping.

Just after I crossed the Italian border rain smashed my windscreen while the temperature never stopped lowering. And, after a 4 hour trip, I arrived in Cernobbio at 8:30 AM, it’s 5.5°C, a hard rain, and fog! It’s the kind of weather we have in November!

Fortunately the Villa d’Este staff gave me an umbrella and I brought some sweats because I felt the weather will not be good this year. And yeah, I should admit we (people living in the South of France) are a little bit sensitive to the cold. Despite this bad weather, the trucks came to Villa d’Este and delivered its treasures. We did see some cars fighting the cold and the rain and I assure you there were less photoshoots this year because of this bad weather.

Cernobbio is a municipality in the Province of Como in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about 40 kilometres north of Milan and about 2 kilometers northwest of Como, on the border with Switzerland. Cernobbio is a well-known international tourist resort accross Lake Como, at the feet of Bisbino Mount. Cernobbio is home to many gorgeous big houses and very famous ones.

Between these very famous and gorgeous houses, Villa d’Este is the best illustration. Originally called Villa del Garovo, this amazing house is a Renaissance patrician residence on the shores of Lake Como. Both the villa and the 100,000 meters square park which surround it, have undergone significant changes since their sixteenth-century origins as a summer residence for the Cardinal of Como. It is the only old garden in Como which keeps more than a fragment of its original architecture. It was the house of the Wales Princess, Caroline of Brunswick during the 16th century.

Since 1873, the complex has been turned into a luxury hotel keeping the original style of decoration. Today, with room rates averaging 1400$ a night, and top suites averaging 5000$ per night, the villa is a luxury hotel for wealthy people and a high level congress center.  In June 2009, Forbes reckoned it the best hotel in the world.

On saturday 25th, the weather was a little bit better. Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is always overlaying important key dates and car anniversaries, that’s why last year during 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este there was a special category for the Ferrari 250 as it was the 50th birthday of the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO.

This year, we are celebrating not only one birthday but two, as 2013 is an important year for Aston Martin and Lamborghini. The British brand Aston Martin is celebrating its 100 years of existence while Lamborghini celebrates its 50 years.

 Between the nine classes, Aston Martin and Lamborghini has a special class dedicated to their own brands to illustrate the magnificient cars they made. Class H is dedicated to the Italian maestro Lamborghini, with three Lamborghini 350 (one GTS, one GTV, and one GT), one Lamborghini 400 GT, and the diva, the Lamborghini Miura SV.

Buon Compleanno Lamborghini!

The Lamborghini GTV (for Gran Turismo Veloce) is a concept car unveiled during the 1963 Turin Motorshow. Also shown was this Lamborghini 350 GTS (Gran Turismo Spyder). It is 1 of 2 ever built.

Winner of the H Class dedicated to Lamborghini 100th birthday during this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, this 350 GTS was one of only two cars ever built by Carrozzeria Touring (chassis 0325 and 0328).

 Let’s focus on the British elegance now, expressed through the five cars of Class D, celebrating Aston Martin’s 100 years. Not one, not two, but three DB4 can be seen in Villa d’Este : a 1962 DB4 Cabriolet (the name Volante came only after the DB5), a 1962 DB4 SS owned by the famous Swiss car collector Jean-Pierre Slavic, and last but not least the iconic DB4 GT Zagato.

The two others cars are a 1948 Aston Martin 2-Litre Sports “Spa Replica” and an Aston Martin DBS, not the one of Daniel Craig you have seen in 007 Casino Royale, but the first Aston Martin named DBS, from 1970.

This yellow Aston Martin DBS was used in the short-lived TV series The Persuaders ! (1971–1972), in which Roger Moore‘s character Lord Brett Sinclair drove a distinctive “Bahama Yellow” (orange/gold) 6-cylinder DBS that, through the use of alloy wheels and different badges, had been made to look like the DBS V8 model.

The Swiss car collector Jean-Pierre Slavic and his 1962 DB4 SS was the Aston Martin Class winner whereas the iconic Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato received the Mention of Honour by the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este jury.

Before the car’s parade, make sure you get a seat outside the Villa d’Este restaurant. A good opportunity for you to relax and to watch the cars driving in front of you. Moreover, thanks to the press accreditation kindly granted by the very nice and welcoming BMW Group team, you have a free ticket to lunch at the restaurant. And what a restaurant!

Dining at Villa d’Este is “A Moveable Feast”. I’ll go for a club sandwich. Sorry, I mean THE club sandwich because at 30€ (!!!) on the menu there’s no doubt it is an institution. But I have to say it’s delicious. In addition, if you have in mind the place where you are eating (at the restaurant of one of the best hotel in the world), in front of a lake while millions of dollars in cars are driven in front of you, we can say it’s not as expensive as you first think when you’re looking at the price on the menu.

While you’re enjoying your club sandwich, I highly recommend you to listen to Simon Kidston’s comments when the cars parade. Simon Kidston is the famous Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este speaker and a luxury car trader. The English-born Swiss national, educated in Italy and Switzerland, is the archetypal gentleman. He’s a living book on each car and each time a car come in front of the jury desk there is no doubt you’ll learn useful things and hear many nice stories.

Just after the main Villa d’Este entrance, Rolls Royce was displaying the brand new Wraith. We were kindly welcomed by Rolls Royce staff to discover it. What we can tell you is that it has nothing to do with a Ghost Coupe, it is a unique car with a very sporty Fastback body.

You know eGarage likes to see and share what’s behind the cars, the people in the back that we don’t see. To go further with the explanation, we went to the private Rolls Royce Lounge held in a really charming villa in front of Lake Como to discover in detail the Rolls Royce Bespoke programme.

Bespoke is a programme to personalize your Rolls Royce more than the standard possibilities. Lars Klawitter, Head of Bespoke, says about Bespoke, “We’re here to bring your dream of owning a Rolls-Royce to life, so however unique you want it to be, we’re here to make it happen.”

And this is what we felt speaking with Alex Innes (designer at Bespoke Programme in Goodwood) in Rolls Royce Lounge. Alex said that as long as the client doesn’t want to change the fundamental design of the car, the possibilites are infinite. The extent of the personalization and the level the work goes to is astounding. To sum up, you can personalize the personalized. Absolutely stunning.

How’s this for bespoke – the doors are made by many sheets of wood and aluminium to be lighter, and those unique leather colors – maybe you want your car to match your favorite shirt? We saw some non-standard projects like one with a client that wanted a cigar humidor in the central console, another where the customer asked to have an automatic watch winder humidor in the central console too.

We asked which country asked for the most craziest colors and there was no surprise that they answered us with the Middle-East, America, and the Asian market. Regarding the Asian market, Rolls Royce was displaying a special edition of the Ghost especially made for 2013 Shangai motorshow called the Ghost Alpine Trial Centenary Edition.

A turquoise blue Ghost with black rims celebrating 100 years of a key event in Rolls Royce history : the 1913 Alpine Trial. This 2013 Ghost is paying tribute to a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost from 1913 that traversed over 1,800 miles of Alpine roads without almost any problems, that’s why it earned the moniker ‘The Best Car in the World’, cementing the brand’s reputation for engineering excellence and impeachable reliability.

After really bad weather on friday (5°C with rain and fog!), it was time for me to have a great typical Italian diner in Cernobbio. I highly recommend Tom & Jerry restaurant, quite small but very affordable and with a wide choice of pizza and pasta, a 5 minute walk from Villa d’Este main entrance.

Sunny weather was back on sunday 26th so all the cars and trucks could successfully be transfered from Villa d’Este to Villa Erba (750 meters distance).

The Villa Erba is a palace of classic style of the XIXth century near the Villa of Este, in front of Lake Como. The Villa goes back to the XVth century in the form of a convent with about 25 nuns from the order Benedictine of Cluny.

In 1882 the property was bought by countess Anna Brivio and her husband Luigi Erba (brother and heir of the pharmaceutical industry CEO Carlo Erba). In 1897 the new Villa is built. The Erba family is famous for having luxurious receptions for important guests, artists and famous people from the political and industrial world.

In 1922, their daughter Carla Erba inherited the property and married Duke Giuseppe Visconti of Modrone. In 1986, the heirs from the family Visconti sold the villa and the important domain adjoining a public consortium which made it an important international center of exhibition and conference. Here is the Villa Erba legend.

Speaking about legends, we have a lot of legendary and expensive collector cars each year at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

This year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is proud to welcome Mr. Ralph Lauren and his marvelous, gorgeous, magnificient, Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic (SC for Super Charged and Atlantic to pay tribute to Jean Mermoz, a French airman, friend of Jean Bugatti who died somewhere over the Atlantic sea in 1936).

This car, sorry, this masterpiece, is considered a myth in the automotive history for its rarity (only three were made), its 200HP supercharged 8 cylinder engine and 200 KPH top speed – very strong power for a 1938 car, and an impressive and classic design (a teardrop aluminum body).

Ralph Lauren’s Atlantic is chassis #57591, the last Atlantic made. We had the opportunity to take pictures of this jewel in front of Villa Erba. Please note you’re in front of the world’s most valuable car ever built – Ralph Lauren’s Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic is estimated between  40,000,000$ and 60,000,000$ !!!

In 2010, Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantique Chassis #57374 (the first made) set a new record during a Santa Monica auction (Gooding & Co). The firm did not officially release a sale price, although people close to the transaction said the Bugatti had gone for between 30,000,000$ and 40,000,000$!

The Ettore Bugatti baseline once opined that ”nothing is too beautiful, nothing is too expensive.”

Consequently the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este jury and public couldn’t resist in front of the Ralph Lauren’s Atlantic beauty and literaly melted on this car as it won the four main prizes : the Trofeo BMW Group for “Best of Show” (prize decided by jury on Saturday 25th in Villa d’Este), the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este for “Best of Show” (prize decided by public referendum on Saturday 25th in Villa d’Este), the Trofeo BMW Group Italia for “Best of Show” (prize decided by public referendum on Sunday 26th in Villa Erba), and Trofeo BMW Group Ragazzi for “Best of Show” (prize decided by public referendum – under the age of 16 – on Sunday 26th in Villa Erba).

The cherry on top – it also won the Trofeo Auto & Design (for the most exciting design by the Jury).

Another jewel I’d like to focus on is the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB (Short Wheel Base). This 1959 PininFarina designed is considered as one of the most beautiful Ferraris and one of the most beautiful convertibles ever made in the automotive industry.

 Power was the king of the Ferrari engines (a 3L V12). Only 75 California were made. Elegant design, a V12 engine, few units, the myth was born and the value has never stopped rising.

For example, chassis #2377GT, made history when it sold to Chris Evans for 7,040,000€ at RM Auction’s 2008 Leggenda e Passione auction

 Ferrari 250 series is the biggest part of the Italian brand, and this year your eyes can also fall in love with a special 250 : the unique Ferrari 250 LM Stradale Speciale. Stradale because it’s a road legal version of a racing car, and Speciale because it is a one-off.

Only thirty-two 250 LM were constructed in 1964 to race in Le Mans, and it was never homologated as a GT car. The 250 LM Stradale Speciale debuted the 250 LM Stradale at the 1965 Geneva Motorshow.

What I love most at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is that this is a beautiful mix of modernism and classicism so you can see jewels of the past, like the Bugatti Atlantic or the Ferrari California and LM we spoke about above, and modern cars through the Concept Cars & Prototypes category.

 Like the seven marvels of the world, this year seven concept cars hit the ground of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Three of these marvels come from Italy (Alfa Romeo TZ3 Zagato Stradale, Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring Superleggera, Pininfarina Sergio).

By Public Referendum at Villa Erba (on sunday 26th), Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes was won by the Touring Superleggera Alfa Romeo Disco Volante. This car is a reinterpretation and a tribute to the 1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante Spider, considered as one of the most original stylistic Alfa Romeo built.

The 2013 Disco Volante is an Alfa Romeo 8C basis (chassis and engine), which body has been totally turned new by the Carrozzeria Touring only on request : if you are a 8C owner you can turn your 8C Competizione in a Disco Volante by asking Carrozzeria Touring.

After 4000 hours of manual and precise work the Disco Volante will be yours.

To celebrate Aston Martin centenary, the British brand came with a really delicious birthday cake at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 : as well as a really nice car named CC100 (Concept Car 100), directly inspired from the DBR1. This concept is reflecting the sporting heritage and exceptional design capability woven throughout 100 years of Aston Martin history.

I have to say I really like it (and believe me I’m difficult when it comes to modern cars!). It’s a modern car but it reminds a lot of an old car (the DBR1) as it’s a Speedster like there were a lot in the past, and at the same time it takes a lot of parts of the DBR1 again (deep green and yellow contours parts).

At the time we’re writing, Aston Martin is saying it is just a Concept, so we’ll have to wait to see if it’ll be produced but we really hope it will. There is no doubt that a lot of buyers will show interest in this beautiful car.

What we can say for sure is Happy Birthday Aston Martin, Happy 100th Birthday to you!

 BMW Group (the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Organising Committee) unveiled for the very first time the BMW Gran Lusso Coupé Pininfarina, an elegant 2+2 coupe. This is the very first time that BMW and Pininfarina are working together. The basis is a 7 Series V12 but BMW refuses to speak about a possible production, but it will clearly inspire the german brand for its future cars.

 McLaren proudly brought and diplayed their last Supercar, the P1. It was really nice to compare it to its “mother”, the Simon Kidston’s McLaren F1, that was in the Villa d’Este hotel parking.

Next to the McLaren P1, two Asian concept are catching the eyes : the Nissan Infiniti Emerg-E and the Subaru Viziv Concept. Even if the Nissan Infiniti Emerg-E is a 2012 concept its shapes are really elegant and sporty.

As if the jewels from the Villa d’Este wouldn’t be enough, every two years Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este welcomes RM Auctions at Villa Erba.

RM Auctions (incorporated in 1991), is a classic car auction company which also does restoration, private treaty sales, auctions, estate planning and financial services.

They are auctionning cars during important car event as in Italy (during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este), in USA (during Amelia Island Concours, in New York), in Monaco, and in many other countries.

Max Girardo (Managing Director of RM Europe and also RM Auction auctioneer) is a particular character. I’ve been told he has a funny and familiar way to manage the auction but that was the first time I was seeing it in person. And I have to say I had a strict and boring vision of auctions. But he changed my mind immediately as he doesn’t manage the auction in a boring and standard way like you may see somewhere else.

Max’s philosophy is “The point about this business is that it is fun. Cars are a hobby and a pleasure – so the way we do business reflects that. There is no typical client, either.”

For example during the auction for a Mercedes 300SL Roadster sold for 1,295,000$ he was speaking with the two remaining customers and said to one of them, “at 985,000€ it’s like in the supermarket sir, it sounds cheaper that way !”. Or when a 1905 FIAT 60HP Five-Passenger Touring by Quinby & Co arrived in front of the main auction desk with a wide and dark smoke cloud he introduced it, “The environmentally friendly 60HP FIAT Five-Passenger Touring by Quinby & Co !”

 He’s always making a lot of moves, he doesn’t stop to speak to maintain the attraction, he plays like an actor.

At one moment, a customer bid on a car and then another customer raised the auction by 50,000€. Max came back to the first customer who was hesitating and said to him “Don’t look at your wife, look at me sir, set a 25,000€ plus, just for me, you should do it sir”.

I think this a very good way to sell the cars and to forget the stratospheric prices and money in play.

At the end of the sale, 32 cars were sold for a total value of 26,989,600€ (34,789,594$). When I walked under the RM Auction dome in Villa Erba and when I discovered all the cars displayed I was really surprised about how many Ferrari there were (16 out of 32 cars!).

Some cars reached peak price as the incredible 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM PininFarina Berlinetta Competizione sold for 9,856,000€ (12,812,800$), smashing the previous auction record for the model and establishing a new world record for a closed Berlinetta Ferrari sold at auction.

Ferrari was once again the unstoppable brand most in demand by bidders. Besides the remarkable performance of the 340/375 MM, other notable Ferrari sales included the 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupé Aerodinamico, which realized 2,184,000€ (2,839,000$), the 2004 Ferrari Enzo which achieved 1,069,600€ (1,390,480$), the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB gone for 1,120,000€ (1,456,000$), and the 2010 Ferrari 599XX which brought 918,400€ (1,193,120$). In total, 16 Ferraris were offered at Villa Erba, all of which sold very strongly.

The stunning 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster impressed everyone with its immaculate presentation and garnered significant pre-sale interest. When the hammer fell, the car found a new owner for 1,114,400€, an extremely stong price for a 300SL Roadster !

Amazing classic cars in a charming and luxury place under sweet weather, a very welcoming and kind staff and delicious food, could you ask for more? There is a unique mood at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, an indefinable atmosphere that even pushes you to put the camera away and sit on a chair while watching the cars and people walk by. You absolutely need to experience it yourself by going to Villa d’Este, Cernobbio next year in May.

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