Aston Martin celebrates its 100th birthday at Geneva

The luxury British sports car maker - which is marking its centenary in 2013 - takes
centre stage in Switzerland with cars both from its illustrious past and its exciting
future.

Pride of place is reserved for the latest luxurious addition to the now fully-replaced or
refreshed sports car range - the forthcoming Rapide S.

The luxury four-door GT has been sympathetically redesigned and painstakingly
re-engineered to reassert its position as the world's most beautiful, and beautifully
balanced, four-seat sports car.

Extensive design and engineering improvements make the new Rapide S even more
desirable and refined. It replaces the outgoing Rapide in markets worldwide.

The Rapide S now boasts an even more assertive 'face' created by virtue of the
striking new full grille.

The new front end design is matched at the back by a new rear deck profile which
consists of a more pronounced boot lid 'flip'. The improved aerodynamic and
aesthetic upgrades both reinforce the sporting nature of new Rapide S.

Changes under the car's sinuous skin are comprehensive, with the new AM11
naturally-aspirated 6.0-litre V12 powerplant delivering unprecedented power and
improved in-gear acceleration.

Meanwhile, as with the new DB9, the new Rapide S achieves compliance with the
latest European pedestrian protection regulations courtesy of its innovative new front
grille design.

Pricing for the new 2014 Aston Martin Rapide S starts at $199,950 in the United
States.

by Carliners.

Rolls-Royce Wraith debuts at Geneva motor show

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly presents the world debut of Wraith, the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history. At its heart lie hallmark Rolls-Royce attributes of luxury, refinement and hand-craftsmanship, but the new model from the world’s pinnacle super-luxury marque also presents a unique character defined by power, style and drama.

Rolls-Royce Chairman and BMW Group board member Harald Krüger added the following: “The BMW Group today reconfirms its full commitment to the future of Rolls-Royce. Growth and a prosperous future lie ahead thanks to continued investment, careful brand stewardship and the launch of groundbreaking new models like Rolls-Royce Wraith, a magnificent addition to the product range.”

In profile, Wraith’s sweeping fastback design gives the car its unique character. Bold lines, tension in the panels and a raked rear screen evoke the image of a world class athlete poised in the starting blocks. Further expression of dynamic intent can be seen in Wraith’s deeply recessed grille, wide rear track and dramatic two-tone presentation.

Coach doors open to reveal a sumptuous interior complete with softest Phantom-grade leathers and expanses of wood called Canadel Panelling. Named after the famous cove in the South of France where Sir Henry Royce and his design and engineering teams spent their winters, this contemporary and tactile finish sweeps through the interior, cosseting four occupants in a space bathed in light and warmth.

The interior ambiance is complemented by Starlight Headliner, a Bespoke feature available beyond Phantom family cars for the first time. 1,340 fibre optic lamps are hand-woven into the roof lining to give the impression of a glittering, starry night sky.

Performance delivers on the promise of Wraith’s styling. Power delivery is effortless, but dramatic, thanks to a V12 engine married to 8-speed automatic ZF transmission. 624 bhp / 465kW is available to the driver while the 0-60 mph sprint is achieved in 4.4 seconds, compared with 563 bhp / 420kW and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds for Ghost.

by Carliners. A Trendy Africa Motoring Concept.

2014 Mercedes Benz CLA

The aggressive lines of the all-new 2014 CLA aren't merely for show, however -- they also help create aerodynamics worthy of a supercar. Likewise, alluring form and superior function come together in the sculpted headlamps, available in Bi-Xenon with integrated LED Daytime Running Lights, and standard LED tail lamps. 

An even greater degree of visual ferocity can be achieved with the available Sport Package, with chiseled sport body styling that includes a larger front apron with massive air inlets, as well as flared side skirts and a sleek rear diffuser. The Sport Package also includes the diamond-pattern version of the front sport grille -- boasting brilliant, silver-tipped studs instead of black -- not to mention 18-inch twin 5-spoke alloy wheels and sport front brakes with perforated rotors.

Key Highlights                          

• Aggressive, four-door design with studded sport grille
• Turbocharged, 208-hp inline-4 engine delivering 258 lb-ft of torque
• Advanced dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles
• Front sport seats and three-spoke multifunction sport steering wheel
• mbrace2 in-vehicle technology suite with available Internet access
• Full Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming and hands-free calling
• Available iPod/MP3 Media Interface, harman/kardon surround-sound system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with Traffic and Weather, and navigation with voice control
• COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• Available Driver Assistance Package featuring DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control, Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist
• Optional Sport Package includes sport body styling, 18-inch wheels and front sport brakes
• Available limited-production Launch Edition

photo: Kayode Ojo at the Chicago Auto Show

Peugeot Onyx Concept supercar

On the occasion of the 28th International Automobile Festival held in Paris on 29th January, Maxime Picat, Director General of Peugeot Automobiles, Gilles Vidal, Director of Peugeot Design, Guillaume Couzy, Director of Marketing and Communications, received for Peugeot the prized accolade for ‘The Best Concept Car Design’ with Onyx.

The Peugeot Onyx Concept supercar was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September and has already been voted ‘Favourite Concept Car’ in the World by readers of Auto Plus and customers of RTL and also seduced the jury of the International Festival and Enthusiasts Automotive Design, winning the prize for the ‘Best Concept Car of the Year’. 

A Trendy Africa Motoring (carliners) Report.

New from Honda: 2013 Civic and 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

Honda announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show that the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid will be available for retail sale and lease beginning January 15 in California and New York, with an MSRP of $39,780.  The 2014 Accord Plug-in has been rated by the EPA with a maximum all-electric EV mode range of 13 miles, and a fuel-economy rating of 47/46/46 mpg (city/hwy/combined). The Accord Plug-in is the first production car in America to meet the more stringent new LEV3/SULEV20 emissions standard, and it will also qualify for single-occupant carpool-lane access in California.

The 2013 Honda Civic debuted today at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show sporting extensive interior and exterior design upgrades, enhanced dynamics, and a host of new standard features. Honda also announced that the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid earned a class-leading EPA-certified 115 MPGe rating and will go on sale in New York and California on January 15 with an MSRP of $39,780. The 2013 Honda Civic Sedan, the nation's best-selling compact car which celebrates its 40th anniversary in America next year, goes on sale today with extensive changes to further reinforce its market leadership.

While still maintaining all the efficiency and value that has made the Civic an automotive icon, the 2013 Honda Civic Sedan receives all-new front and rear exterior styling, while all Civics sport extensive interior upgrades including more luxurious finishes, and a host of new standard equipment. 

by Carliners. A Trendy Africa Media Production

2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS Unveiled

Chevrolet today opened a new chapter in its storied racing history, unveiling its eagerly anticipated 2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS race car. Powered by the legendary small block V-8 engine, the rear-wheel drive performance sedan will be Chevrolet’s newest entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, beginning with the 2013 SpeedWeeks in Daytona, Fla.

The new NASCAR race car closely resembles the all-new rear wheel drive V-8 Chevrolet SS performance sedan that will debut early next year.

The Chevrolet SS will be a derivative of the award-winning global rear-wheel-drive architecture that spawns performance vehicles like Chevrolet Camaro and Holden’s upcoming VF Commodore. The limited production version of the Chevrolet SS will be a 2014 model and will arrive in dealer showrooms in late 2013. It is the first time in 17 years that Chevrolet will offer a rear-wheel-drive sedan for sale in the United States. 

by Carliners. A Trendy Africa Media Production

Aston Martin to Race in North America

Aston Martin's new portfolio of race cars; Vantage GTE, V12 Vantage GT3 and V8 Vantage GT4 will be seen in domestic competition in North America from next season after TRG (The Racers Group) were today appointed by Aston Martin Racing as an official partner.

Under a new partnership; TRG-Aston Martin Racing North America, LLC (hereafter;TRG-AMR), the two companies will work together with the aim of bringing Aston Martin race cars to all of the major sports car racing series' in the United States.

California-based The Racers Group (TRG) has a legacy of motorsport success that dates back to the 1990's with extraordinary wins and championships that include the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona (four times, once overall), the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Petit Le Mans and two Grand-Am championships amongst a host of podium finishes.

By Carliners. A Trendy Africa Media Production