Aston Martin & Mercedes join forces

Aston Martin Production will soon see an injection of Mercedes DNA This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about a partnership between Aston Martin and Mercedes, but according to Car & Driver it’s now just about a done deal. As long ago as March 2009 we reported that Mercedes supplied the basis for the Lagonda SUV Concept (a Mercedes GL), and six months later we reported that Aston Martin were working on a Mercedes S-Class based Lagonda saloon. More recently we reported that the GL-based Lagonda SUV was back on and that Mercedes wanted Aston Martin to put together the next generation of Maybach.

New Stratos (w/ Gallery)

After weeks of speculation, the official story and pictures of the reborn Lancia Stratos – officially named 'New Stratos' – have been revealed. While the car's design and concept are obviously related to the 2005 Fenomenon Stratos – a venture headed by RCA graduate Chris Hrabalek – design and development have been completed by Pininfarina. Initially headed by Jason Castriota before he left – ironically for the original Lancia Stratos' birthplace, Bertone – Luca Borgogno completed the exterior and interior design.

Walking on the Edge: Ford blings out 2011 Sport crossover with 22s, blacked-out grille

“Dude, that is sick,” a rival designer gushed to Ford's Doyle Letson when the 2011 Edge Sport was revealed at the Chicago auto show last winter. “What does it look like with the real wheels on?” Letson replied, “Those are the real wheels.” The rollers in question are 22-inch forged aluminum wheels with tuxedo-black spoke accents wrapped in Pirelli tires. They look like they're stolen from a SEMA concept, and they're perhaps the single most distinguishing feature on the Sport model, which launches with the rest of the redone Edge lineup later this summer.