Continental 0300 Intake Aircraft on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept celebrates Aston Martin’s Centenary (video)

Looking like a modern interpretation of the legendary AM DBR1 Le Mans car from the 1950s, the CC100 is a dramatic ‘Speedster’ concept powered by Aston’s latest V12 and makes its debut – driven by Ulrich Bez – at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring Race event in Germany today (19th May 2013). Aston put together the CC100 in less than six months (did no one tell them 2013 was Aston’s centenary year until last Christmas?), and roped in carbon fibre specialists Multimatic to create the body and interior from carbon fibre, and Aston Martin used the VHM platform to create the underpinnings for the CC100, and have powered it with the latest version of the V12 AM11 engine with a six-speed sequential gearbox. Chief Exterior Designer, Miles Nurnberger, said: The brief was very simple, yet enormously testing: create something that reflects the 100 years of Aston Martin heritage and signals the future of the brand.

Mercedes-Benz A-class gets the AMG treatment

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed limited details about its most affordable performance model to date, the A45 AMG. Set to go on sale in Europe in early 2013, the rival to the Audi RS3 and the BMW M135i sits at the top of the third-generation A-class lineup. The price, although not yet officially revealed, is expected to start at about 50,000 euros, or $62,400 at current exchange rates).

Jaguar tops J. D. Power Survey again in 2013

Even though the Jaguar XF actually slipped from 2nd to 3rd in the top cars section (although it was the ‘Best Executive Car’), behind the Skoda Superb and Skoda Yeti, it received five star ratings for performance, service and running costs and owners rated it as ‘Excellent’ across all categories. And it was more good news for Jaguar Land Rover as Land Rover was rated the most improved brand in 2013, jumping in to the top ten (in 6th place) for the first time, with Freelander owners noting an improved dealer experience and Discovery owners reporting 30 per cent fewer faults – and actually leading the SUV sector for reliability. That’ll help the still lingering perception that JLR’s cars can be ‘fragile’.