Lambo boss bans retro design

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 06 October 2006 08:50 New Lamborghini models will strive to make automotive history, not repeat it, vows the company’s president. Lambo’s brief flirtation with retro design – epitomised by the January 2006 Miura concept – is over, says boss Stephan Winkelmann. ‘The Miura was a celebration of our history, but Lamborghini is about the future.

Aston Martin and AMG confirm partnership on new V8 engine

Aston Martin and AMG working on new V8 engines The collaboration deal between Aston Martin and AMG has moved to another level with the announcement that the two companies are working on a new V8 engine for Aston Martin. Aston Martin and AMG signed a letter of intent in July to kick off their technical partnership, and the news the companies are working together on a new V8 engine – which will probably first be seen in a new V8 Vantage – is the first fruits of the deal. A statement from AML and AMG said they are planning to expand their agreement to work on sharing electronic components and will “investigate additional areas of operation”.

Bentley Hybrid setup works across Bentley’s range of engines

You’ll be able to have a hybrid powertrain across Bentley’s range of engines With car makers increasingly hidebound by ever more stringent economy targets, even makers of the world’s most expensive, luxury cars are having to play ball. Which explains why Bentley has decided to go the hybrid route for their cars, with the debut of the Bentley Hybrid, a Mulsanne with the 6¾ litre V8 under the bonnet aided by an electric motor and a bank of batteries, at the Beijing Motor Show. It seems the Bentley hybrid solution – which is claimed to increase power by 25 per cent and improve emissions and economy by 70 per cent – is very similar to that used across the VW Group range, with an electric motor between the engine and transmission fed by a bank of batteries.