Honda is keen to emphasise that the NSX Concept does not rely on brute force from a large engine; rather, the supercar credentials come courtesy of its ‘extremely favourable’ power-to-weight ratio – although, disappointingly, no actual power-to-weight figure is given.
Visually, the new A6 Allroad is set apart by the single-framed grille with vertical slats, underbody protective plates in stainless steel front and rear, plus roof rails and bumpers/sills in a contrasting colour. It also sits 60mm higher than the standard Avant (while the extensive use of aluminium components reduces weight by as much as 70kg), and the standard four-wheel drive makes for rapid progress on poor roads – but doesn’t turn the Audi into a genuine off-roader.
It was something of a shock to drive along Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell and find, instead of a glazed building set back from the road with a row of Astons on display, extensive building activity that will result in ‘Aston Martin Works Newport Pagnell’, a brand-new dealership opening this spring.
BMW’s much-respected M-division hasn’t exactly hesitated to buck trends in recent years; one only needs to glance in the direction of the M-powered X5 and X6 SUVs to notice the company’s willingness to respond to consumer requirements. Environmental factors also saw the M tuning arm twisted so hard that it resulted in a twin-turbo V8 in the latest M5 to supplant the V10 of its predecessor.
It’s not exactly the sort of car you’d choose as a daily driver – far too rare and special for that – but this car (which for many years had the honour of being part of the Jacques Swaters Collection) might be an intriguing mode of transport for the odd day trip. It would certainly command a huge amount of attention from passers-by: not just a four-door Ferrari but something utterly and genuinely unique. If you fancy snapping up this opportunity to own a piece of Italian motoring history, you’ll want to speak to Auto Speak Srl, which is offering the fascinating concept car for sale.
But from the front, you’d have to look twice to notice the difference. It’s only from the side that the changes to the open two-seater are immediately obvious – shorter front and rear overhangs, the windscreen shifted forwards, and a flatter silhouette. Inside, there’s more space for driver and passenger, with a new, fully electric hood that means there’s no longer the need for a tonneau cover. The in-cabin design also boasts the distinctive centre console which we first saw on the Carrera GT.
While it’s based on the production version of Audi’s smallest SUV, the Vail – which takes its name from a Colorado ski resort – is in fact 40mm wider and 30mm taller than the familiar Q3. Contributing towards this are a wider track, flared arches and bigger running boards, while perched on its roof are rails with integrated LED lighting. The exterior modifications are rounded off by an alternative front bumper, a rear diffuser with integrated exhausts and 20-inch alloy wheels.
What had taken only an average amount of time to drive 20 miles took double that today. The roads, like the convention centre itself, were jam-packed. Even in the bumper-to-bumper traffic, you could tell where the masses were headed and the beat was palpable. We were ready to see what the manufacturers' reaction was to one of the most talked-about turnarounds in financial history.
Classic Driver met Michael and his son Maximilian Stoschek at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Even then, the Stoscheks reported that they hadn’t yet had Ferrari’s blessing and it was looking probable that the project would be cancelled. The sports car prototype was based on the legendary Lancia Stratos but built on a shortened Ferrari 430 chassis, with no less a name than Pininfarina responsible for the design. As well as the new interpretation of the distinctive design, Stoschek placed great emphasis on the performance and dynamics of the two-seater.