Will the Aston Martin DB9 GT become the best DB9 ever?

At this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Aston Martin will launch what it says is ‘the most compelling DB model to date’ – the DB9 GT…

Bond might have traded up to a limited-edition super-coupé but, when it comes to civilians like us, we’ll have to wait a little longer for an all-new successor to the DB9. However, in the meantime,Aston Martin will use the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed to launch the DB9 GT – which sees a raft of updates and improvements to give the 11-year-old model a ‘final hurrah’.

The most potent, refined DB9 ever

Major revisions have been held back for the imminent replacement, unofficially christened by the media as the DB11. Instead, the GT will apparently become the best a DB9 can be, “refining the DB9’s already impressive attributes – a careful and delicate process,” according to Ian Minards, Product Development Director at Aston Martin. Among the changes are a new touchscreen infotainment system, minor styling tweaks inside and out, and a power boost to 540bhp for the familiar 6.0-litre V12, making it the most potent DB9 ever. Well, they always say the first and last examples of a memorable model become the most collectable.

The 2016 DB9 GT will be available from Autumn 2015.

Photos: Aston Martin

You can find hundreds of modern and classic Aston Martins for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

Celebrate Italy's art de vivre with menswear brand Caruso

This beautifully shot promotional short, created by thriving Italian menswear brand Caruso, proves that a well-attired gentleman makes all the difference…

Starring the renowned Italian thesp Giancarlo Giannini, ‘The Good Italian’ is a playful yet stylish expression of not just fashion, but wider Italian culture – think opera, dining and architecture. The film also features 'Fefè', from Napoli, one of the brand’s fictional characters on which it bases the traditional Italian dressy elements in its collection.

EURO FIGHTER: AVON TYRES’ WILD BMW F800S

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If you were a tire company, what bike would you select to show off some new dual-sport rubber? The obvious answer would be a BMW R1200GS.

But the venerable British company Avon (est. 1904) has plumped for something very different—a custom BMW F800S with a radical front suspension system.

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The ‘TrailRider X-Over’ is the work of two Frenchmen: Charles-Henrick Gaurier, who works for Avon France, and Thierry Marie, a specialist alloy fabricator.

Together, they’ve built a machine that’s almost impossible to pigeonhole. We’d say it’s a café racer with bobber genes and a scrambler-esque stance. It’s certainly an engineering masterpiece, and a fine match for the new TrailRider tire—which Avon pitches as it’s most advanced yet, with a higher silica content than any other motorcycle tire.

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So what was the appeal of the F800S and its Rotax-developed parallel-twin? “The choice of engine might seem funny,” Charles agrees. “But you should take into account the 360 degree firing interval—just like British engines from the good old days.”

Another reason is Thierry’s love for the Mini brand, owned by BMW. “The X-Over is a natural consequence of a simple idea: if Alec Issigonis was commissioned to design a bike today, how would it look?”

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Little remains of the original BMW F800S: the power plant, wheels and swingarm are there, but just about everything else is new.

The most eye-catching addition is the completely bespoke front suspension system. It borrows the best ideas from several vintage designs—resulting in a system that separates steering and damping via a single, adjustable shock hidden in the steering column.

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The arms, rods and links have all been made from raw 2017/AU4G alloy. The same material is used for the custom-made frame, tank, seat cowl, fenders and speedo casing. (According to Charles, Thierry handcrafted it all “between some orders from Parisian palaces and the building of prototype furniture.”)

The airbox intakes have been redesigned too, and the headlight is a custom-made LED unit.

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In all, Thierry put in over eight hundred hours of fabrication. And it shows. Most of the aluminum has been left raw to show off the amazing craftsmanship. The only splashes of color are Union Jacks on the air intakes, and the frame and wheels in British Airways blue.

The riding experience is more akin to a Euro Fighter than an A380, though. The Trailrider X-Over tips the scales at less than 155kg, but records 85hp and 86Nm on the dyno.

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Looks like the new TrailRider rubber will have its work cut out keeping this machine on the road. But we’d happily take it for a joyride.

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This Jaguar C-type could be your ticket to Holyroodhouse

Fancy exhibiting in the immaculate grounds of Holyroodhouse at the Concours of Elegance this September? This ex-Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type, to be offered by RM Sotheby’s at its Monterey sale, could be your ticket…

Innovator

The second of just three special ‘Lightweight’ cars prepared by the factory for the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans, this Jaguar C-type was driven in period by no fewer than five Le Mans winners. It finished fourth overall at Le Mans in 1953, but was subsequently campaigned successfully by Ecurie Ecosse, racking up eight race victories in 1954. The last development of the mighty C-type, the Lightweight cars featured thinner aluminium bodywork, a fully synchronised gearbox and upgraded Weber carburettors. They were also the first cars to race at Le Mans with disc brakes, an innovation that would prove both invaluable and influential.

Further, given the Ecurie Ecosse celebration at this year’s Holyroodhouse Concours of Elegance, comprising the largest ever gathering of the famous Scottish team’s cars, ‘XKC 052’ could grant you entry to the Royal pageant in September. It will cross the block at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction on 13-15 August. 

Photos: Patrick Ernzen, courtesy of RM Sotheby's.

You can find the full catalogue for the RM Sotheby's Monterey Auction listed in the Classic Driver Market.

Stand out with the Made To Order Driver by Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo’s driving shoes are esteemed by sophisticated men the world over, and a staple of the classic driver’s wardrobe. For the first time, the Italian brand is offering its customers a personalisation programme, and the options are endless…

A unique touch

Whether you want your Drivers in crocodile, ostrich or calf’s leather,  or in Antique Saddle, Metallic Blue or Graphite, the extensive customisation options in Ferragamo's new personalisation programme should keep even the most discerning fashionista happy. And for a unique touch, how about some lettering?

To help promote its new Made To Order Driver, Ferragamo enlisted the help of racing driver Mathias Lauda, SoundCloud founder Alexander Ljung and model/photographer Johannes Huebl. The three dapper gentlemen, each wearing their own personalised Drivers, look particularly chic relaxing in Tuscany. What are you waiting for? Start configuring your personal Drivers now.

Photos: Salvatore Ferragamo

Paddock !

WRC, Rally Poland : Depuis 1921…/ an event dating back to 1921…

Après le Rallye alpin d’Autriche (1910) et le Rallye Monte-Carlo (1911), le Rallye de Pologne est la troisième épreuve routière la plus ancienne avec une première édition organisée à Varsovie en 1921.

Le Rally Poland, qui fête cette année sa 72^e édition, figure sur le podium des rallyes les plus anciens après l’Österreichische Alpenfahrt et le Monte-Carlo. Sa première édition remonte à 1921, mais la première épreuve routière polonaise date de 1912.

Cette année-là, l’Imperial Club de Saint-Pétersbourg avait organisé un rallye automobile entre Varsovie, Kiev et Moscou. Une seconde édition s’est tenue en juillet 1913 sous forme d’une boucle de 582 kilomètres autour de Varsovie avec 16 équipages au départ. L’année suivante, l’épreuve comptait quatre étapes, 1215 km, et fut remportée par le Comte Karol de Raczynski sur une Rochet-Schneider.

La Première Guerre mondiale mit un terme momentané aux courses de vitesse en Pologne. En 1921, l’Automobile Club de Pologne (Towarzystwo Automobilistów Królestwa Polskiego), qui avait pour mission principale de promouvoir l’automobile et de former les conducteurs, a organisé le premier Rajd Polski sur un parcours de 600 km (Varsovie- Białowieża-Varsovie), en grande majorité sur terre.

Seuls six concurrents se sont présentés au départ et la victoire est revenue à Tadeusz Heyne sur une Dodge Touring. Né en 1883, Tadeusz Heyne avait suivi des études techniques avant de travailler chez Skoda en République Tchèque, puis dans l’aviation en Russie.

Le Rajd Polski s’est développé Entre-Deux-Guerres, passant de 600 à 4500 km en 1939. Cette année-là, l’épreuve a carrément fait le tour du pays avec 68 équipages. Elle fut remportée par Renato Ghisalba sur une Fiat 1100 engagée par l’importateur, devant Stefan Grossman sur Citroën.

Après la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, l’Automobile Club de Pologne a réorganisé le Rajd Polski en septembre 1946 avec quelque 71 voitures épargnées par les ravages de la guerre. Les participants ont reçu une véritable ovation sur le parcours.

Puis le Rallye de Pologne a intégré le calendrier européen en 1960. En revanche, il ne compte que trois éditions en WRC : 1973, 2009 et 2014.

Depuis 2005, le Rajd Polski est installé à Mikolajki, dans la région des Lacs de Mazurie, et en octobre dernier, un accord a été signé entre l’Automobile Club de Pologne et les élus de la cité touristique pour que l’épreuve continue d’être organisée à Mikolajki pendant les dix prochaines années.

Rally Poland is the third longest-standing road fixture in motorsport history, after the Austrian Alps Rally (1910) and the Rallye Monte-Carlo (1911). The first event was based in Warsaw and organised in 1921.

This year marks the 72^nd running of Rally Poland. That makes it the third oldest rally after the Österreichische Alpenfahrt and the Monte-Carlo. It was organised for the first time in 1921, but the country’s original rally was held in 1912.

That year, the Imperial Club of Saint Petersburg staged a rally between Warsaw, Kiev and Moscow. A second version in July 1913 took the form of a 582km loop around Warsaw with 16 starters. The following year, it was divided into four legs totalling 1,215km and was won by Count Karol de Raczynski in a Rochet-Schneider.

Competitive action in Poland was halted by the outbreak of the Great War but returned in 1921 when the national car club (Towarzystwo Automobilistów Królestwa Polskiego, tasked with promoting the automobile and educating drivers) organised the inaugural, predominantly dirt Rajd Polski which featured a 600km run from Warsaw to Białowieża and back.

Only six entries were received and the event was won by Tadeusz Heyne in a Dodge Touring. Heyne was born in 1883 and his technical background led him to jobs with Skoda in the Czech Republic and then in Russia’s aviation industry.

The Rajd Polski grew in length to 4,500km by 1939 when the 68 starters performed a complete tour of the country. Winner was Renato Ghisalba in a Fiat 1100 entered by the local importer, ahead of Stefan Grossman in a Citroën.

After World War 2, the event returned in 1946 with an entry of 71 cars which had survived the war.

Rally Poland was included in the European Rally Championship in 1960 and has counted towards the WRC three times (1973, 2009 and 2014).

Since 2005, it has been based in Mikolajki in the Mazurian Lake District. Last October, the Polish Automobile Club signed a deal with the local authorities for the event to remain in the tourist resort for the next 10 years.

"DREAM" by Dozer garage & Eugene Kredentser

WRC, Rally Poland : Quiétude et fraîcheur / tranquillity and cool weather

Depuis dix ans, le Rajd Polski est organisé au nord de la Pologne, dans la magnifique région des Lacs de Mazurie. Alors que l’Europe occidentale suffoque sous une vague de chaleur, ici une petite brise et quelques cumulus régulent l’air ambiant à 25°C… 

Il flotte comme un parfum de vacances sur la cité lacustre de Mikolajki, située à 250 km au nord de Varsovie. Après quelques orages localisés hier mardi, on annonce une tempête de ciel bleu pour cette fin de semaine.

Touristes et fans de rallye déambulent sur la Marina, alors qu’au loin, voiliers, pédalos et jet-ski batifolent sur les eaux limpides du Lac Talty. Les terrasses s’étalent sur le rivage, à l’ombre desquelles on se rafraîchit de cornets glacés ou de Ziwiec. A ce propos, une récente étude a démontré que, sur 75 villes testée dans le monde, c’est en Pologne que la bière était la moins chère…

A quelques centaines de mètres du lac, sur les hauteurs, se dresse l’immense hôtel Golebiewski qui accueille la 7e manche du Championnat du monde des Rallyes FIA. Car ce n’est pas tout à fait les vacances pour les 74 engagés au Rally Poland 2015, qui viennent de terminer les reconnaissances du parcours renouvelé à 80 %.

Mardi, les équipages ont pris en notes les spéciales de la première étape, au Nord, vers Goldap, près des frontières russes et lituaniennes. Le profil est rapide, voire ultra-rapide, sur des pistes tantôt larges, tantôt étroites entre des prairies rougies de coquelicots. Le fond des pistes reste dur, sous une couche de gravier parfois épaisse. La longue spéciale de Stanczyki (39,12 km) est superbe et somme toute assez variée même si le rythme général est rapide.

Aujourd’hui, mercredi, les concurrents ont visité les spéciales de la deuxième étape, dont la désormais célèbre Wieliczki, la plus rapide de la saison 2014 (136,88 km/h de moyenne). Ca devrait aller un peu moins vite cette année car une nouvelle portion finale emmène les concurrents sur des chemins étroits. Paprotki (ES13, 23,15 km), se dispute sur des pistes très souples et étroites qui passent de fermes en fermes. Elle ne sera parcourue qu’une fois, pour éviter une dégradation trop importante.

La prise de notes jouera un rôle déterminant dans les résultats du week-end car ces spéciales sont difficiles à « lire ». Ca va très, très vite sur des pistes parfois étroites où les virages sont masqués par de hautes herbes, avec ça ou là des « ciels » aveugles, ou des sections pavées piégeuses. Il faut beaucoup de précision et d’abnégation !

Le parc d’assistance est installé sur le parking de l’hôtel Golebiewski, dont une grande surface a été bétonnée cette année de sorte que tous les principaux teams se trouvent sur du « dur ». Il y déjà beaucoup de monde devant le stand de Robert Kubica, plus que vers les immenses structures Hyundai et Volkswagen.

Le Rally Poland 2015 débutera demain avec le Shakedown (à partir de 8h00) organisé tout près du parc. Après la cérémonie de départ sur la place de Mikolajki, les concurrents disputeront une Superspéciale, toujours dans l’enceinte de l’hôtel Golebiewski.

For the past 10 years, the Rajd Polski has been based in northern Poland’s magnificent Mazurian Lake District. While much of Europe is in the grips of a heatwave, there is a slight breeze here, and scattered clouds are keeping the temperature down to a cool 25°C. 

There’s something of a holiday atmosphere here in Mikolajki which is around 250km north of Warsaw. There were some localised storms on Tuesday, but we’ve been promised fine sunny weather for the rest of the week.

The marina is full tourists and rally fans, while the more nautically-minded can be seen out on the clear waters of Lake Talty sailing yachts, or enjoying jet skis or pedal boats. On the shore are a number of terrace cafés where customers are keeping cool in the shade of a parasol with an ice cream or a Ziwiec. Interestingly, a recent study covering 75 towns revealed that the cheapest beer is to be found in Poland…

On high ground a few hundred metres inland sits the huge Golebiewski Hotel which is hosting round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship. It’s not yet holiday time for the 74 crews entered for the 2015 Rally Poland who have just returned from their recce of the stages, 80 percent of which are new this year.

Tuesday saw competitors note the first day’s essentially high-speed tests near Goldap, to the north, close to the Russian and Lithuanian borders. The roads here range from quite wide to narrow between prairies full of red poppies. The ground is hard-packed under an occasionally thick top-coating of loose gravel. The long, predominantly fast ‘Stanczyki’ stage (39.12km) is superb and quite varied.

Today (Wednesday), competitors visited the second day stages. They include the famous ‘Wieliczki’ test which was the fastest of the 2014 championship (average: 136.88kph). It should be a little slower this year because a narrower portion has been added towards the end. Paprotki (SS13, 23.15km) is soft and narrow. It runs between farms and will only be used once in order to minimise damage.

The quality and precision of the crews’ work could play a big role because the stages are quite hard to note. The speeds will be very fast, yet the roads themselves are quite narrow in places and certain corners are concealed by tall grass, not to mention a number of blind crests and paved portions.

The service park uses the Golebiewski Hotel’s car park and all the top teams will benefit from a hard surface since more concrete has been laid since 2014. The focus for spectators is naturally Robert Kubica’s marquee which is attracting more interest than the huge facilities of Hyundai and Volkswagen.

Action will begin with tomorrow morning’s shakedown at 8am. After a start ceremony in Mikolajki, crews will tackle a super-special in the grounds of the Golebiewski Hotel.

2015 SCORE Baja Sur 500 - Onboard with Eugenio and Schwarz