john51merc

Aston Martin has just announced the most powerful car in its storied 110-year history. Christened the DBS 770 Ultimate, only 499 of the V12 GT are planned to be produced before the current DBS is put out to pasture and a new version takes its place. If you’re of the well-heeled variety, don’t get too excited because Aston Martin says the order books are already closed.

“When an iconic model generation reaches the end of production it is important to mark the occasion with something special,” says Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin Chief Technology Officer. “In the case of the DBS 770 Ultimate, we have spared nothing in ensuring the final version of our current series production flagship is the best-ever in every respect. Not only is it the fastest and most powerful DBS in our history, thanks to a comprehensive suite of improvements to the transmission, steering, suspension, and underbody structure; it is also the best to drive.”

The DBS has its roots in the DBS Superleggera that first appeared in 2018.  The original featured a twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 with 715 horsepower backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission made by ZF. The new DBS 770 Ultimate will improve on that, achieving close to 770 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque. Aston Martin claims the power nudge comes from modified air and ignition pathways plus a 7% increase in maximum turbo boost pressure, with increased response and broader torque curves being notable byproducts. The transmission also has been recalibrated “to enhance shift speeds and driver interaction” for a “truly connected driving experience.”

Steering response and feedback have improved thanks to a new solid mounted steering column, improved front-end lateral stiffness (achieved with an enhanced front cross member and thicker rear undertray) and improvements to the calibration of the Adaptive Damping System.

Though the front-end looks similar to previous DBS models, subtle tweaks have increased airflow to the radiators and enhanced thermal management. Assistance comes from the horseshoe engine vent on the hood and new front splitter that integrates two new outboard vents.

A neat feature of the DBS 770 Ultimate is the new 21-inch multi-spoke wheels available in Satin Silver, Satin Black or optional Satin Black with Diamond Turned finish. All are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires —  265/35 R21 up front and 305/30 R21 out back.

Inside, all DBS 770 Ultimates will come standard with Sport Plus seats trimmed in semi-aniline leather and Alcantara with a fluted quilt and perforation pattern. Sills feature plaques showing the Aston Martin Wings logo, DBS 770 Ultimate logo, and sequence number of the 300 coupes or 199 Volantes being built.

“DBS has always sat at the pinnacle of the Aston Martin production model line-up. And now we’re infusing DBS 770 Ultimate with even more… more power, more performance purity and all with more sophistication, more taste and in the most considered manner,” adds Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer. “Something so raw, and yet so beautiful it’s almost intimidating to look at. It’s through this design approach that we came up with the shapes – starting with the amped-up front end – and from there everything else flows in design balance with the performance upgrades.”

The first customer example of the Mercedes-Benz AMG One hypercar has been delivered more than five months after production started and more than five years after the car was first shown at the 2017 Frankfurt auto show.

The first customer example is finished in black and was delivered to a customer in Germany.

Just 275 examples are planned, with some confirmed buyers including Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, and David Coulthard. For anyone hoping to join that list, all build slots are gone, despite a starting price of 2.275 million euros (approximately $2.572 million).

Even though a lot of the build slots went to customers in the U.S., AMG wasn’t able to certify the car and its finicky F1 engine for sale here without a substantial loss in performance, and thus won’t sell it here. There is some hope for U.S. customers to take delivery on home soil in the form of the Show or Display rule, however.

Production of the One is handled at a dedicated facility in Coventry, U.K., close to where Mercedes’ F1 engines are built. The F1 engine builder Mercedes‑Benz AMG High Performance Powertrains is also responsible for the One’s engine.

The engine is a turbo 1.6-liter V-6, specifically the design from Mercedes’ championship-winning race car from the 2015 F1 season. But the rest of the One’s powertrain is actually more sophisticated than in the F1 car. While in the race car there’s only the turbo V-6 and a motor-generator driving the rear wheels, plus a second motor-generator integrated with the turbocharger, the One has two additional motor-generators. These drive each of the front wheels and provide the One with all-wheel drive. Peak output is 1,049 hp, though the car is relatively heavy for a two-seater, weighing in at 3,737 pounds.

Performance is scintillating, as estimates include a 0-62 mph time in 2.9 seconds and a top speed capped at 219 mph, likely due to the aerodynamics. The One also holds the Nürburgring lap record for a production car, with its time of 6:35.183 set last fall on a damp track.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: First customer example of Mercedes-Benz AMG One

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Actor, comedian and gearhead Rowan Atkinson is parting ways with his 1993 Lancia HF Integrale Evo II. The hot hatchback is being offered by Silverstone Auctions with an estimated hammer price of $80,000 – $92,000 (£65,000 – £75,000).

Atkinson rose to prominence with his roles in the TV series “Black Adder” (1983-1989) and “Mr. Bean” (1990-1995). He has had an extensive movie career and was named one of the 50 funniest actors in British history by The Observer. Atkinson is also a devout car collector (his collection once included a McLaren F1) and weekend racing driver with an unfortunate tendency to have the occasional shunt.

This dark blue Lancia offered at Silverstone is one of 4,233 1993 Lancia HF Integrale EVO IIs built for the global market. This 56,000-mile (90,000-km) example features a two-liter, 16-valve turbo inline-four with three-way catalytic converter, lambda probe and new Marelli integrated engine control system. The engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission.

“Originally supplied to Japan, this car was then selected and imported back to the UK in 2011 with all duties paid,” Silverstone Auction’s listing states. “It had been chosen for its rare colour of Lord Blue which is extremely smart and also its comprehensive Japanese service history. The interior of this particular car is also immaculate with the Tan Alcantara high-back seats still looking like new. Maintained professionally on an annual basis in the UK, the car had covered just over 87,000km (54,000 miles) when, back in May 2021, it was purchased by well known comedian, actor and long time petrol head, Rowan Atkinson CBE.”

Atkinson’s 1993 Lancia HF Integrale Evo II is available for sale on February 25, 2023, at Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro Show in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.