Motor Authority - blog Tag: Ulrich

It's a situation already hackneyed: a new car model has been put on ice by the cold global economic climate. Fortunately for esthetes and fans of Aston Martin, however, the latest model to face that fate is the Lagonda.

Widely lambasted for its Saab 9X Aero-meets-recreational-bus looks, the Lagonda Concept displayed at this year's Geneva Motor Show was an inauspicious rebirth of a once legendary brand. Fans were few and foes were many.

It turns out that the car's looks weren't all it had working against it. The weak economy has caused it to be shelved - or at least offered Aston Martin a convenient excuse to go back to the drawing board,... It's a situation already hackneyed: a new car model has been put on ice by the cold global economic climate. Fortunately for esthetes and fans of Aston Martin, however, the latest model to face that fate is the Lagonda. Widely lambasted for its Saab 9X Aero-meets-recreational-bus looks, the Lagonda Concept displayed at this year's Geneva Motor Show was an inauspicious rebirth of a once legendary brand. Fans were few and foes were many. It turns out that the car's looks weren't all it had working against it. The weak economy has caused it to be shelved - or at least offered Aston Martin a convenient excuse to go back to the drawing board, reports Edmunds. "We have several sources ready to invest upward of a quarter-billion pounds," said CEO Ulrich Bez, "but the timing right now is simply wrong. We have some work to do yet, and it takes a lot of investment." In the firestorm that surrounded the Lagonda Concept's debut, reports of a plan to introduce a completely different model as the first Lagonda - scrapping the concept altogether - began to emerge. This latest word from Bez confirms that while Aston may have future plans for the Lagonda brand, it won't be with the polarizing concept pictured here.2009 Aston Martin Lagonda Concept Read More

Volkswagen may already be in the midst of preparing a new three-door version of its 2010 Polo hatchback, but a rumored coupe version due late next year promises to be even more attractive. The car would slot into VW’s lineup as a smaller sibling to the Scirocco coupe, with which it will share most of its styling, and there may even be some influence from the recently revealed Bluesport roadster concept.

As a more aggressive variant to the Polo family, as well as a stepping stone to the higher-spec Scirocco, the Polo coupe will be getting the carmaker's impressive 1.4L supercharged and turbocharged engine. According to AutoExpress,... Volkswagen may already be in the midst of preparing a new three-door version of its 2010 Polo hatchback, but a rumored coupe version due late next year promises to be even more attractive. The car would slot into VW’s lineup as a smaller sibling to the Scirocco coupe, with which it will share most of its styling, and there may even be some influence from the recently revealed Bluesport roadster concept. As a more aggressive variant to the Polo family, as well as a stepping stone to the higher-spec Scirocco, the Polo coupe will be getting the carmaker's impressive 1.4L supercharged and turbocharged engine. According to AutoExpress, the compact engine will be churning out close to 180hp (140kW) in the Polo coupe, and this should provide for some spirited performance, especially when matched with VW’s new 7-speed DSG. This same engine will also appear in the Polo GTI, which was recently previewed in concept form at the 2009 Worthersee tuner show. Throwing in a new Polo coupe into the current VW lineup may make the Polo range look a little cluttered, especially with the new three-door coming soon, but the coupe’s alternate styling should see it popular with those who don't want to upgrade to the Scirocco but still want more performance and aggressiveness than the regular Polo GTI.2010 Volkswagen Polo 3-door renderings2010 Volkswagen Polo Read More

Aston Martin is hard at work figuring out just what to do with its Lagonda brand revival plans. The company confirmed plans last year to revive the marque for a new range of bespoke models, the first of which is set to appear in 2012, but exactly what market segments to enter is shaping up to be a difficult question for executives.

While there are only a few years left for Aston Martin to come up with a plan for Lagonda, we've already seen the first concept, which was unveiled at last month’s Geneva Motor Show. The polarizing concept vehicle was based on a Mercedes Benz GL-Class SUV platform but according to the company’s... Aston Martin is hard at work figuring out just what to do with its Lagonda brand revival plans. The company confirmed plans last year to revive the marque for a new range of bespoke models, the first of which is set to appear in 2012, but exactly what market segments to enter is shaping up to be a difficult question for executives. While there are only a few years left for Aston Martin to come up with a plan for Lagonda, we've already seen the first concept, which was unveiled at last month’s Geneva Motor Show. The polarizing concept vehicle was based on a Mercedes Benz GL-Class SUV platform but according to the company’s European chief that doesn’t mean Lagonda will be an SUV/crossover brand. Speaking with Autotelegraaf, Aston Martin’s Marcel Beci explained that Lagonda will not have an SUV in its lineup, as the original Lagonda models were about easy-to-drive luxury cars. This puts some confusion on the whole issue, as the Lagonda concept seemed to reveal that the brand would be leaning towards an SUV-type of vehicle. Mixed reactions from the public may have had something to do with a change in tack, or Beci may be simply trying to pull the wool over our eyes and keep a SUV as an ace up the company’s sleeve. Speaking last year at the announcement of the brand’s revival, Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said "the revival of the Lagonda brand would allow us to develop cars which can have a different character than a sports car, and therefore offer a perfect synergy. Lagonda will use a unique design language as Aston Martin does. We will take elements of DNA from the past but will be very future orientated as we are with Aston Martin. With Lagonda offering exclusive, luxurious and truly versatile products with high quality and usability and suitable for both existing and emerging markets, I believe we can be present in more than 100 countries in the world." Beci echoed this view, claiming that in many countries it wasn't an aversion to sports cars that was holding Aston Martin back, but perhaps impracticality. He went on to explain that bad roads in developing countries is a major factor putting off many buyers from Aston Martin’s low slung sports cars – something that could be overcome by building a completely new type of vehicle under the Lagonda brand.2009 Aston Martin Lagonda Concept Read More

The small-car surge in the U.S. was cut short last year when once-high fuel prices dropped as suddenly as they'd risen, but the future of the market seems clear: prices will rise again, and small cars will be the best solution. To that end, Volkswagen is planning to bring its 2010 Polo compact car to the U.S. but the story is not so simple.

The Polo sold in the U.S. will be different to the one unveiled earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show. Firstly, a new sedan model will be offered, while the regular hatch will also grow in size to suit American tastes. The size difference is due to greater height and a longer wheelbase than other... The small-car surge in the U.S. was cut short last year when once-high fuel prices dropped as suddenly as they'd risen, but the future of the market seems clear: prices will rise again, and small cars will be the best solution. To that end, Volkswagen is planning to bring its 2010 Polo compact car to the U.S. but the story is not so simple. The Polo sold in the U.S. will be different to the one unveiled earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show. Firstly, a new sedan model will be offered, while the regular hatch will also grow in size to suit American tastes. The size difference is due to greater height and a longer wheelbase than other versions of the Polo, said VW’s American boss Stefan Jacoby during a recent interview with Automotive News. It will be a "cross between a compact minivan and a hatchback," Jacoby explained, something like the Honda Fit. Pricing is expected to be around the $14,000 and to maximise profits the American versions will be produced in Mexico. While an actual launch date hasn’t been pencilled in, production will most likely start in 2011. VW's current smallest car in the U.S. is the Rabbit (Golf to the rest of the world), which sits around the middle of the carmaker’s global range. The smaller Polo could offer even smaller and more efficient engines, which could also help bring a new premium entry to the small car market while at the same time help VW meet tougher CAFE standards.2010 Volkswagen Polo 3-door renderings2010 Volkswagen Polo Hatchback Read More

In 1959, racing legend Carroll Shelby along with Roy Salvadori raced to overall victory at Le Mans in an Aston Martin DBR1, followed by another DBR1 in second place - both cars 25 laps ahead of third place. This year, marking the 50th anniversary of that feat, Aston Martin will field two works teams in the LMP1 class in an attempt to repeat the title grab. Today the car that will be used to do it made its debut at the famous Paul Ricard Circuit in France.

Both cars 007 and 009 took to the track as 3,500 lucky spectators - who were the first members of the public admitted to the track in 10 years - looked on. Both cars performed above... In 1959, racing legend Carroll Shelby along with Roy Salvadori raced to overall victory at Le Mans in an Aston Martin DBR1, followed by another DBR1 in second place - both cars 25 laps ahead of third place. This year, marking the 50th anniversary of that feat, Aston Martin will field two works teams in the LMP1 class in an attempt to repeat the title grab. Today the car that will be used to do it made its debut at the famous Paul Ricard Circuit in France. Both cars 007 and 009 took to the track as 3,500 lucky spectators - who were the first members of the public admitted to the track in 10 years - looked on. Both cars performed above expectations for both reliability and performance at the public test day despite being essentially unproven. The day wasn't all smooth sailing, however, with the 007 car having an incident with Thomas Enge at the wheel. The car was heavily damaged, but Enge walked away uninjured. Enge blamed his own error for the crash. "Unfortunately because of my error the test was compromised but prior to the accident the car was good and I believe that we will be even stronger than we were last year," he said. The season is set to be a dramatic one, especially with the company and team setting its sights high. Aston Martin's history has never been far from the race track. Despite the luxurious and elite nature of the company's road cars, the real beating heart at Aston has been speed, and the struggle for victory. “Racing has been, and still is at the heart of Aston Martin," said Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez. "Our cars today are subtle, elegant and handcrafted but they still have the genes for competition. I am happy that we have found partners who, with their support, will enable us to compete at the highest level of endurance racing. We will put all our heart and skill behind this project to demonstrate the essence of Aston Martin: Power Beauty and Soul.” The LMP1 cars headed to Le Mans for the 2009 race are liveried in Gulf Oil colors of blue and orange, just as the 2008 GT1 cars were. Under the colorful paintjob, a 2008 Charouz Racing System Lola provides the chassis with power coming from a production-based Aston Martin V12 engine - the same engine that drove the DBR9 to a GT1 title at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008. Aston Martin chairman David Richards, who also chairs the racing outfit ProDrive, cautions that much work still lies ahead. "While we have won the GT1 class for the last two years," said Richards, "competing against the proven speed and endurance of the diesel-powered cars with all their years of winning the prototype class, will be a massive undertaking. Nonetheless, I see this as a great opportunity to showcase the ingenuity of British engineering talent.” The momentous race will be held over a 24-hour period during the weekend of June 13-14, 2009 at Le Mans, France.2009 Aston Martin LMP1 Le Mans race car Read More

Lagonda is back. The legendary British marque has been revived for its 100th anniversary and to mark the event a new Lagonda concept car has made its debut today at the Geneva Motor Show. Lagonda is best known for its range of saloons and tourers but its future lies in a very different realm.

The idea behind the revival of Lagonda is to allow current owner, Aston Martin, to reserve its own name for its sports car models like the upcoming Vantage V12 RS and One-77 supercar and have another brand to develop models with a completely different character. As expected, the latest concept vehicle is anything but a sports car, but exactly what... Lagonda is back. The legendary British marque has been revived for its 100th anniversary and to mark the event a new Lagonda concept car has made its debut today at the Geneva Motor Show. Lagonda is best known for its range of saloons and tourers but its future lies in a very different realm. The idea behind the revival of Lagonda is to allow current owner, Aston Martin, to reserve its own name for its sports car models like the upcoming Vantage V12 RS and One-77 supercar and have another brand to develop models with a completely different character. As expected, the latest concept vehicle is anything but a sports car, but exactly what segment it fits remains uncertain. Looking somewhat like the deformed step-brother of the Lincoln MKT crossover, the new Lagonda Concept could best be described as the ugly lovechild of a sedan and crossover. The concept has been designed using elements from Lagonda’s past but it also showcases a unique design language that will feature prominently on its future models. The vehicle is essentially a luxury sedan with four doors and seating capacity for four adults that sits on a 4WD platform. While no specifications have been released, its designers envisage the vehicle accommodating a broad range of future powertrains, including flexfuel, low emission diesel and hybrid systems. Viewed from the front, the concept sports an oversized grille not unlike Aston Martin’s own signature design. This is flanked by narrow, tapered back headlights that lead to a raked cabin with sharp lines defining the profile. These sharp lines are matched by bold character lines that run along the sculpted flanks to the rear. Large 22in wheels and cut-away bodywork offer plenty of ground clearance, while the concept's V12 engine delivers power through all four wheels. Under the leadership of Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, Lagonda will bring performance luxury into new markets and territories around the world. Lagonda will return to Russia, enter emerging markets in the Middle East, South America, India and China, as well as established markets such as Europe, North America and the Far East. Aston Martins are currently available in only 32 countries, but Bez expects that Lagonda will be available in more than 100 countries. Cars of a 'different character' are to be the specialty of the Lagonda brand and appealing to a broader market appears to be part of the effort. For Aston Martin’s sake, we hope the market is broad enough to contain enough customers who would find vehicles styled like this latest Lagonda Concept attractive enough to actually buy one. 2009 Aston Martin Lagonda Concept Read More