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Aston Martin DB 2/4: classic laden with Bond gadgets up for auction

By Adam Binnie Motor Industry 09 July 2014 10:02 A classic Aston Martin, thought to be the inspiration behind James Bond’s car in the Ian Fleming novel Goldfinger, will be sold at auction this Saturday, 12 July 2014. When a father-and-son restoration team discovered the unassuming DB 2/4 Mk I Vantage collecting dust they had no idea of its potential significance. As they began to peel back the layers they uncovered a set of unique modifications, similar to those in the fictional Bond car, including reinforced steel bumpers, concealed lockers, heavy-duty anti-interference ignition system, and connections for a two-way radio or homing device.

Ford to triple production of EcoBoost engines by 2015

Ford EcoBoost Engine production to increase In another clear sign of engine downsizing by car makers Ford has announced it will triple production of its EcoBoost engines in Europe by 2015. The petrol engine is fighting back against hybrids and diesels with downsizing and forced induction creating petrol engines that work more pleasingly than  diesels – and with lower particulate emissions – whilst delivering proper performance and levels of economy that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Ford is in the vanguard of this mainstream push to make petrol engines relevant even in a car world dictated by government CO2 targets (which aren’t really CO2 targets , they’re official economy targets) and they’re planning to triple production of their very good range of EcoBoost engines in Europe over the next three years.

London Motorexpo competition shows future EVs

London's 2012 Motorexpo show has showcased the work of the winners in its competition to design an electric vehicle of the future. The brief, to create a circa 2032 zero-emmission city car capable of transporting four adults and luggage, was won by Michael Vlcek, a first-year student at London's Royal College of Arts' (RCA) Vehicle Design department. Vehicles of the future Vlcek's proposal displayed a car with electric motors mounted in the wheel housings to maximise interior space, and a front-hinged opening to allow access via the rear of the car, where Vlcek positioned the rear lights on vertical vanes to improve aerodynamic stability.