It's not very often that I'm up at six o'clock on a Saturday morning. Yet here I am, threading through the narrow lanes of West Sussex, trying to meet a ridiculously early call time with Peugeot at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Couple this with the adrenalin coursing through my veins – brought on by the excitement of finally getting a ride up the drive in front of Goodwood's house, home each year to the Festival of Speed – and there's no need for any coffee to wake me up this morning.
By Ben Pulman
First Official Pictures
27 January 2009 09:50
Those plucky Brits. This is Aston Martin’s new petrol-powered LMP1 Le Mans contender, designed to take on the diesel might of Peugeot's 908 and Audi's new R15. Aston is aiming for the overall win at the legendary 24-hour race on 13-14 June 2009, 50 years after Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori drove a DBR1 to victory. Aston’s new LMP1 car is based on the Lola-developed 2008 Charouz Racing Aston Martin that came ninth at Le Mans in 2008. For '09 the car has been further tweaked with help from Lola, Michelin, Koni and BBS.
2015 Corvette Stingray buyers will have a new transmission option when they head to dealer lots next year: An eight-speed automatic that will supposedly weight less than the six-speed it replaces and boasting quicker shift times than the dual-clutch in the Porsche 911. Named the 8L90, this eight-speed will be built in Ohio and will also be found on the upcoming Corvette Z06. If the gearbox is capable of handling the 625 hp put down by that supercharged beast, we're sure it'll take on the regular Stingray's 455 hp without breaking a sweat.