JULY 6, 2016

(Aston Martin images)
In yet another entry in the fantasy car sweepstakes, Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing have revealed their version of a ground-breaking hypercar: the AM-RB 001. Aston says that the car is "The product of a unique Innovation Partnership between the British luxury brand and eminent F1 team" and that this "ambitious, uncompromising and wholly extraordinary collaboration combines the vision and skills of two world-leading brands to create a road car the like of which has never been seen before." (But wait, we have seen this before, right?) The machine is built around a lightweight carbon fiber structure (of course), and claims to the boast "truly radical aerodynamics for unprecedented levels of downforce in a road-legal car."
Designed by Red Bull Racing's Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey (working with Marek Reichman, Aston Martin EVP and Chief Creative Officer), AM-RB 001 will be built by Chief Special Operations Officer David King and his team at Gaydon, in the purpose-built facility created for Aston Martin’s original hypercar, the One-77.
More details of the AM-RB 001's specs are forthcoming, but it will be powered by a new, mid-mounted, high-revving, naturally aspirated V12 engine with the potency to achieve a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio; (1 bhp per kilo of weight). To cope with the extreme aerodynamic loadings at high speeds yet deliver the on-road usability and comfort levels that sit at the heart of the concept, the AM-RB 001’s suspension system will feature "innovative technology and employ principles honed by Newey over his thirty year career." The transmission will be a clean-sheet design conceived by Newey and developed by Red Bull Advanced Technologies.

 Editor-In-Chief's Note: Where this hypercar business is going is anyone's guess. These cars aren't drivable on public roads unless of course you regularly drive from Nice to Monaco and have a prearranged place to park. These are mechanical works of art for a select few with the ca$h to indulge their automotive fantasies. And they will continue to exist as long as there are people willing to pay millions of dollars for automotive exclusivity. -PMD

(Jaguar)
Jaguar Classic has announced that the ultra-exclusive continuation Jaguar XKSS will make its world debut in November in Los Angeles, near the opening of the Los Angeles Auto Show. The continuation Jaguar XKSS will be limited to just nine examples, hand-crafted by Jaguar Classic technicians and manufactured to the exact same specification as those produced in 1957. Often referred to as the world’s first supercar, Jaguar originally made the XKSS as a road-going version of its Le Mans winning D-type, and cars built in ’57 were originally earmarked for export to the U.S., but disaster struck and a number were lost to the Browns Lane fire of the same year. Now, 59 years later, Jaguar will build the nine "lost" XKSS sports cars for a select group of established collectors and customers. Oh, in case you're wondering, you're already too late. All nine continuation XKSS models are now sold, with first deliveries to customers planned for early 2017.

(Ford images)
Ford is going all out to offer personal customization on its Ford GT supercar. Colors and materials have been strategically selected to allow owners a kaleidoscope of choices. The Brembo brake calipers are available in five colors for the first time at Ford, while different coating options for carbon fiber components offer customers decidedly distinctive looks. “We walked a fine line with the color and materials in this vehicle – infusing energy through use of color and balance while working to ensure the raw appeal of a performance car still shines through,” says Barb Whalen, Ford design manager, color and materials. “Everything in the all-new Ford GT was intentionally designed to express ultimate performance.” Suggested color combinations and themes are available to coordinate interior and exterior hues, brake calipers and racing stripes. The exterior palette offers eight distinctive colors.