march 11, 2015

Editor-in-Chief's Note: FCA chief Sergio Marchionne may have been paid over $100 million dollars in 2015 when everything is tallied up, according to Larry P. Vellequette, reporting in Automotive News. Surprised? Not in the least. The last time I checked, Marchionne never took a vow of poverty. And as I said from Day One of his reign, it was always about the money, even though his pronouncements revolved around his altruistic "mission" to do the right thing for Chrysler. But that's okay, because no one associated with Fiat or the Fiat family were capable of doing anything even remotely close to what Marchionne did, so they just keep throwing money at him for saving their collective asses. And he keeps smiling and cashing the checks. - PMD

(Aston Martin images/newspressUSA)
We didn't bother to show you everything from Geneva, but one concept of note was the all-wheel-drive Aston Martin DBX. If you squint real hard, this is Aston's first conceptual take at doing a crossover, one that we actually thought deserved a closer look. "Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment," according to the manufacturer, the DBX Concept signals that the British luxury brand is about to get serious about widening its portfolio and reach. “The DBX Concept is a challenge to the existing status quo in the high luxury GT segment," according to Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer. "It envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible."

Imagined by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and his team at the brand’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, the DBX Concept was in all-electric form for the show, although should a production version see the light of day the powertrain choices certainly won't be limited to that configuration. The DBX does reveal a notable evolution of the British brand’s design language, however. The concept’s exterior bright work is made up of machined billet aluminum with visible milling lines. The DBX Concept’s Black Pearl Chromium paint finish was specially created to mimic the look of a genuine black pearl, and comprises a micro-fine layer of chrome to deliver a level of reflectivity that cannot be obtained through normal paint finishes.

The extensive application of velvet-like Nubuck leather is designed to contrast with the concept’s hard, hi-tech equipment, according to Aston. The exposed leather reveals a sandwiched accent layer, more akin to high-end furniture, while the car’s interior bright ware matches that of the exterior with the addition of a gold "pin striping" element on the edging. “The exceptional craftsmanship, with detailing more typically seen on luxury consumer goods or fine jewellery, gives the DBX Concept genuinely global appeal,” Reichman elaborated.

(Porsche Cars North America)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. has released new details for the highly anticipated Porsche Rennsport Reunion V being held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, September 25 – 27, 2015. This year’s Reunion - the fifth installment of what has become a Porsche tradition in North America - will highlight Porsche's long history at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche is the most successful marque in the history of the famed 8.47 mile Le Sarthe Circuit, with sixteen overall race victories between 1970 and 1998 and 100 class victories. Porsche returned to Le Mans last year to contest for the overall win with its 919 Hybrid LMP1 Sports-Prototype. To access up-to-date information on the drivers and cars that are scheduled to attend, along with photos and videos from past Reunions, you can go to the Porsche Rennsport Reunion V website, www.porscherennsportreunion.com. Links to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s website for tickets, registration and track information are also available on the official website. For followers of Social Media, #PorscheRRV has been chosen to be used for tagging photos, video and social media content. It is welcomed for fans and enthusiasts to use the new hashtag on any Porsche Rennsport Reunion related subject matter.