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Only 99 Coupes, 99 Volantes, 99 Shooting Brakes, and 28 Speedsters will be sold. That’s 325 cars worldwide for those who don’t want to do the math.

Aston Martin and Zagato’s partnership goes back to the DB4 GT Zagato, first shown in October 1960 at the London Motor Show. Nearly sixty years later, this is the first time a family of cars has been sold together.

“We haven’t released Zagato models as a family before, at least not in this way, but the idea is not without precedent,” says Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, in a release.

“Why create a family of Zagatos? Well, many of our customers want different things. Some prefer the purity of a Coupe, but others love the idea of something more extreme, like the Speedster.”

Reichman says some customers have ordered one of each. Though styling varies between versions, they share their underpinnings with the Vanquish S. This means they’re all powered by a naturally aspirated V-12 cranking out 580 hp. A Touchtronic III auto box serves as the only transmission choice. Aston says each model has its own custom active suspension damping system.

The Shooting Brake is the most touring-oriented member of the lineup and was designed with practicality as a priority. It features an elongated version of Zagato’s signature “double-bubble” roof with glass inlays to allow more light inside the greenhouse.

To complete the touring specifications, the Shooting Brakes have a bespoke luggage set tailored to fit the car.

Production for the Shooting Brake variant starts in 2018, though every Aston Martin Zagato is rumored be priced at more than $1,300,000 and to have already been sold.

If it sounds elusive, that’s because it’s a proper unicorn.

Source: Aston Martin

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Today, Hennessey showed off a close-up of the rear end. You can clearly see the massive diffuser and triple exhaust, as well as a lot of the detail work. “To reduce drag and maximize aerodynamic efficiency and overall performance, it’s just as important to manage airflow underneath a vehicle as it is over the body,” reads the caption.

To reduce drag and maximize aerodynamic efficiency and overall performance, it’s just as important to manage airflow underneath a vehicle as it is over the body. Tune into our unveiling event livestream video on Nov. 1 @ 11 am pacific for the rest of the details. #hennessey #venomf5 #cfd #diffuser #triplethreat #topspeed

Uma publicação compartilhada por Hennessey Performance (@hennesseyperformance) em Out 23, 2017 às 5:31 PDT

But since we’ve already seen the rear end, the second teaser shows us a lot more. It’s the first shot we’ve seen of the interior, revealing a dash that’s almost entirely carbon fiber. The air conditioning vents mimic the triple exhaust, and there’s a wide touchscreen that appears to show the Venom F5’s front end. The caption claims the interior design is inspired by what they think Steve Jobs would have built, which is certainly an aspirational goal even if Apple’s late chief executive officer would have probably never built a hypercar.

Venom F5: Elegant, functional and aggressive, inside and out. Often we ask ourselves “what would Steve Jobs build?”#hennessey #venomf5 #hypercar #interior #elegant #stevejobs #whatwouldstevejobsbuild

Uma publicação compartilhada por Hennessey Performance (@hennesseyperformance) em Out 22, 2017 às 6:33 PDT

From what we’ve seen, though, it looks like Hennessey hasn’t changed the Venom F5 very much since we first saw

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These days, if you are in the market for a fully electric, long-range vehicle, your options are pretty limited.

In fact, Tesla vehicles are currently the only cars that have an official range of more than 200 miles per charge.

But it won’t be long before there’s an influx of long-range electric cars hitting the market.

Most major automakers, including GM and Volkswagen, have vowed to roll out more than one fully electric car by 2020.

Here’s a look at some of the vehicles coming to market in the next few years.

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Use All-Weather Floor Mats

From sand to rain, you can track a lot of things into your car throughout the year. Prevent dirt and grime from soaking into the carpets by adding all-weather floor mats to the floors of your vehicle. These floor mats will alleviate some stress when you step into your car during a rainstorm.

Use a Sunshade

Mother Nature can wreak havoc on your car’s interior. If you leave your car out in the sun, the UV rays will beam down into the interior, and over time, the vinyl might actually crack. Put a sunshade on the windshield when your vehicle is parked outside. That will protect it from sun damage.

Use Seat Covers

If you have kids or like to eat in your car, you need to invest in some seat covers. You can find seat covers that fit all makes and models. Once you get your covers, slip them over your seats so you won’t have to worry about stains setting into your fabric or leather. Then, if something happens to the seat covers, replace it.

Detail Your Vehicle on a Regular Basis

It is easy to protect your interior if you detail it on a regular basis. You can use cleaning supplies and detail it on your own, or you can pay someone to take care of it for you. This proactive approach will keep your interior looking like new.

If it’s too late for your interior, it’s time to visit Ray Brandt Infiniti in Metairie, Louisiana. Look through the dealership’s options and pick out your new Infiniti. Then, you can start fresh. Follow these tips for your new Infiniti, and your interior will look as good as new for years to come.

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“Today’s mechanics are not the mechanics of five years ago. The training for auto technicians today is incredible. The industry is moving extremely fast with technology, and so is the ongoing and advanced training that our mechanics are engaged in,” said Marc Cannon, senior vice president, AutoNation, a retailer of new cars, trucks and SUVs, with 18 store locations in Houston.

According to Cannon, five years ago, Bluetooth technology was just being introduced and is now in most new cars.

Navigation equipment, voice activation, hybrids and electric cars are all new technologies, so mechanics are being continually trained. Diesel vehicles also have changed – they are cleaner and more efficient.

“The chairman and CEO of AutoNation started his career as a mechanic, so he is heavily vested and interested in all of our service departments (having) the most advanced training,” Cannon said.

The advanced training Cannon noted, is offered by the dealerships, and often manufacturers send representatives for training. Other methods of training include videos, web-based classes, and live training at dealerships. If there are special courses being offered at a local college, AutoNation sends its mechanics.

“We are making large investments in our service departments to ensure our mechanics are all well trained,” Cannon said.

Universal Technical Institute, a nationwide provider of technical education training for entry-level automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, is also constantly updating its programs for the new technology.

“We have two programs, one for core courses, and specializations. For example, we offer specializations for nine or 10 manufacturers, such as Ford, Mercedes, Nissan, Cummins Motors, etc. These programs are supported by the manufacturers,” said Ed Fletcher, director, Employment Services, Universal Technical Institute Inc.

For example, when students complete the Ford program, they have 60 percent of the certification needed to be a Ford Master Technician.

The school continues to keep up to date through relationships with the manufacturers, which provide the latest model vehicles for the students to train on.

“We graduate very competent technicians/mechanics, with a strong background of fundamentals, and specific manufacturer training. Most of our students work part time in a shop or dealership while they are still in school. After graduating, they move to full time,” Fletcher said.

Right now, Fletcher said that vehicle technicians/mechanics are in high demand, more so than ever before, and he has more job openings than he has students. There are approximately 1,500 students in the school, with programs being one to two years, depending on a student’s chosen path.

“The oil and gas industry hires many of our students. All of the new fracking equipment, pumps, generators and others, all work off engines, which have to be maintained, with preventive maintenance and repair, which our students can do. This industry is an open opportunity for our students,” Fletcher said.

The pay for auto mechanics differs from each facility, shop or state. However, nationwide, auto service technicians/mechanics earned a mean annual income of $41,370 in 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Due to the demand, these numbers have gone up.

“In Houston, there are usually different pay areas, such as commission, hourly and salaried. Those who work on commission and are good, and work fast can make six figures,” Fletcher said.

Further details

For information about UTI Houston, visit www.uti.edu, and for AutoNation, www.autonation.com.

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Mazda global powertrain boss Mitsuo Hitomi says the rotary is likely to return as a range extender engine to generate power for an upcoming EV on longer journeys, according to Automotive News. This makes sense considering the rotary’s compact design, low vibration, and sufficient power output.

Autmotive News reports this EV will come to market in 2019 in two configurations; one completely electric, and the other equipped with a range extender.

 

This isn’t even the first time we’ve seen Mazda use the rotary as a range extender. The company revealed a battery-powered Mazda2 concept back in 2013 (above) that used a 330cc rotary as a generator.

According to Hitomi, there’s another rotary engine in development, and it could power a new sports car. The biggest roadblock? Whether it actually makes financial sense for Mazda to produce it.

For Mazda, it’s “whether the business conditions will be met or not … not the big technical issues,” according to Hitomi. “Are we going to really sell that many models of sports cars? There aren’t that many auto companies selling multiple sports cars.”

But the fact that the engine is being developed should give us a sliver of hope of seeing a new RX sports car from Mazda some time in the future.

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