Aston Martin AM 310 Vanquish

Aston Martin has released details of its 2013 AM 310 Vanquish, the modern interpretation of its classic luxury sports car which is set to replace the DBS. One-77 design cues such as the flowing waistline and LED light blade rear clusters and new design elements such as the lift-reducing rear Aero Duct, bonnet vents, sculpted roof and side strakes feature. A splitter, light-catching side skirts and a rear diffuser form a near-continuous ring of exposed carbon fiber at the base of the car.

Tesla asks NHTSA to investigate fires

In response to concerns following a recent accident which appeared to result from road debris damaging the underside of a battery compartment of a Tesla Model S, causing a fire in the engine compartment, the company has announced that it has requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conduct a full investigation into the fire incidents. In a blog post, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote the following about the investigation: "While we think it is highly unlikely, if something is discovered that would result in a material improvement in occupant fire safety, we will immediately apply that change to new cars and offer it as a free retrofit to all existing cars. Given that the incidence of fires in the Model S is far lower than combustion cars and that there have been no resulting injuries, this did not at first seem like a good use of NHTSA's time compared to the hundreds of gasoline fire deaths per year that warrant their attention." Tesla has also released a software update to the cars which will maintain their standard ride height at highway speeds, preventing the air suspension from lowering the car an extra inch at highway speeds for greater aerodynamic efficiency.

KoenigSaab coming soon?

Koenigsegg are in the running to take over Saab Saab were given Swedish Government protection recently (similar to Chapter 11) to try and find a suitor or funding to operate independently. Of course they can’t do that completely, at least not in the short term, as they are so tied in to GM’s platforms on their current and soon to be released cars. But Saab has a strong – if quirky – history and, with the right backing, could stand alone as a niche maker of aesthetically individual cars.