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1963 Aston Martin DB5: 100 Cars That Matter

Aston Martin’s DB4 was an instant hit in the late 1950s. The sleek two-door was the first car built at the automaker’s plant in Buckinghamshire, England, and was a critical success when it was released. But history doesn’t celebrate Aston Martin for its DB4; that distinction is reserved for its successor.

The DB5 bowed for 1963 with more elegant looks compared to the DB4, a seemingly impossible task. Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera was responsible for the exotic looks wrapped around British engineering.

James Bond Aston Martin DB5 for sale

As a stand-alone car, the DB5 was nothing more than an incremental update to the DB4. The engine swelled to 4.0 liters (up from 3.7) and made 282 horsepower, it has a new 5-speed manual transmission, and the car was quicker than the DB4 predecessor.

So how did the DB5 catapult itself past the DB4 to become one of the most beloved cars from the British marque? Bond, James Bond.

ALSO SEE: Live your James Bond fantasies in small scale with this Lego DB5

Aston Martin DB5 “Goldfinger” continuation car

The DB5 made a silver-screen debut in the 1964 film “Goldfinger.” The film’s special effects manager, John Stears, persuaded Aston Martin to make a DB5 available for the film. The company obliged, which cemented the brand as a swanky co-star alongside Ian Fleming’s fictional secret agent.

Two DB5s were shown at the New York World Fair in 1964 to promote the film and sales exploded thereafter. Since its debut in “Goldfinger,” a DB5 has appeared in six other James Bond films.

Aston Martin DB5 “Goldfinger” continuation car

Aston Martin continued to launch new versions of its DB line in following years, but none of them would come close to the classy character found in the DB5. The lightly changed DB6 arrive in 1965 but the DB5 simply looked the part better.

Aston Martin’s choice to pitch the DB5 as Bond’s sidekick created an image few other brands and nameplates could ever touch. No, the DB5 doesn’t achieve outrageous levels of power or speed like other poster-car heroes that came later in the 20th century, but it’s hard to argue with the charm the DB5 oozes so easily.

Note to readers: Motor Authority has compiled 100 cars that have forever changed enthusiasts. From supercars and sedans to SUVs and muscle cars, these are the cars that have sparked our love for cars. Think we’ve missed something? Leave a comment below or contact us here.

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February 15, 2021
Bugatti Centodieci has reached prototype stage, naked chassis looks wild

Over a year after its unveiling, the Bugatti Centodieci—an $8.9 million limited-edition tribute to the Bugatti EB110—has finally reached the prototype stage. A bare chassis was recently completed and started testing last week on the dynamometer at Bugatti’s factory in Molsheim, France.

The Centodieci is based on the Bugatti Chiron but still requires significant development work. The car was first shown during the 2019 Monterey Car Week, after which designers and engineers used computer simulations to ensure the Centodieci’s bespoke bodywork and the carryover Chiron chassis components would work together.

The word Centodieci means “110” in Italian, a reference to the EB110, which in turn was named in honor of the 110th birthday of company founder Ettore Bugatti. The EB110 was the brainchild of Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli and architect Giampaolo Benedini, who attempted to revive Bugatti in the early 1990s after decades of dormancy. While they were ultimately unsuccessful, the EB110 was one of the fastest supercars of its day, and kept the Bugatti name alive long enough for Volkswagen Group to purchase the brand and launch the Veyron in the 2000s.

Designers gave the Centodieci styling elements from the EB110, including a glass engine cover, five round side air vents, a smaller horseshoe grille, and a more slab-sided profile.

Bugatti Centodieci

All of these changes could potentially interfere with cooling for the 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16 engine, while new lighting elements and a fixed rear wing could affect regulatory compliance and aerodynamics, respectively. Hence the need for extensive development work and testing, according to Bugatti.

The W-16 is also tuned to produce 1,577 hp—97 hp more than the Chiron. Bugatti previously quoted 0-62 in 2.4 seconds, 0-124 mph in 6.1 seconds, and 0-186 mph in 13.1 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 236 mph.

With dynamometer testing underway to check drivetrain components, the next step is to build bodywork for the naked prototype chassis, Bugatti said. That will followed by wind-tunnel and track testing, the automaker said. Deliveries are scheduled to start next year.

Production is limited to 10 cars, all of which sold out within hours of the Centodieci’s launch.

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February 14, 2021
2022 Audi E-Tron GT, 2022 Infiniti QX60, 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor: This Week’s Top Photos

Audi this week finally revealed its super sedan based on the platform of the Porsche Taycan. It’s called the E-Tron GT, and there’s both a standard version and spicier RS version from Audi Sport.

2022 Mini Cooper SE

Another reveal this week was Mini’s updated 2022 Cooper SE electric Hardtop. While the powertrain hasn’t changed, buyers have the option of a paint fade for the roof, shown here with three colors.

Teaser for 2022 Infiniti QX60

Nissan has redesigned the Pathfinder and the popular crossover, just like its predecessor, will twin a new QX60 from Infiniti for 2022. The design of the new QX60 has already been previewed in concept form and this week we learned some of the first specs.

Microlino

A Swiss company by the name of Micro is developing an electric car whose design has been influenced quite heavily by the iconic Isetta—right down to the front-opening door. The car was originally due to start production in 2018 but Micro this week revealed a reengineered version that’s much safer than before.

2021 Ford F-150 Raptor

We learned this week that the redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor will be available with two different frames. Which frame buyers will get will depend on whether the truck is ordered with the standard 35-inch tires or the optional 37s.

2021 Ford Ranger Tremor

Another Ford pickup truck in the headlines this week was the 2021 Ranger equipped with the available Tremor Off-Road Package. The package adds raised suspension, Fox 2.0 monotube dampers, redesigned front knuckles, and 17-inch wheels shod with 32-inch Continental General Grabber A/TX all-terrain tires, and we’ve tested it.

2023 Ferrari Purosangue test mule spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Ferrari was spotted testing its upcoming SUV. To be called the Purosangue, it will be a high-riding Prancing Horse boasting four doors and four seats. Right now we’re still at the test-mule stage, but the basic shape of the SUV is already clear.

Porsche Taycan Turbo S sets indoor land speed record of 102.6 mph – February 2021

And finally, Porsche set a new world record with its Taycan. The record was for the highest speed achieved indoors by any vehicle, and the Taycan’s figure was in the triple digits.

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February 13, 2021