Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has announced the introduction of ‘Privilege Edition’ of its premium hatchback, Honda Jazz. The Privilege Edition comes equipped with an advanced infotainment system, enhanced interiors and exteriors and new safety and technology features.

Additions include 7 cm advanced infotainment with audio, video and navigation system, Privilege Edition themed premium beige seat covers and premium floor mats, rear parking sensors and Privilege Edition emblem.

Speaking about the Privilege Edition of Jazz, Jnaneswar Sen, Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd said, “Our festive offering of Honda Jazz Privilege Edition, with advanced infotainment, security and comfort features, is a great value for our customers at a very attractive price and strongly enhances its appeal. HCIL has witnessed strong sales momentum in this fiscal year with a cumulative growth of over 21 per cent since April 2017. We hope to continue this trend through the festive season.”

The newly designed premium seat covers with ‘Privilege Edition’ embossing offer a very comfortable seating for its occupants. The rear-parking sensors help in a safer and more convenient parking experience. Additionally, the Honda Connect app offers a unique sense of round-the-clock safety, security and convenience to the owner.

The Honda Jazz Privilege edition is priced Rs 5000 over V Grade and is available at an Ex-Showroom New Delhi prices as below:

V MT Privilege Edition (Petrol) –   Rs. 7,36,358

V CVT Privilege Edition (Petrol) –  Rs. 8,42,089

V MT Privilege Edition (Diesel) –   Rs. 8,82,302

Renault made two important announcements yesterday, reflecting Renault’s ambitions to continue to grow its presence in India. Firstly, as part of its strong product offensive strategy, Renault will expand its product range with the launch of the Renault Captur SUV. Furthermore, Renault crossed the milestone of 300 dealership outlets in India, which makes it one of the fastest network ramp-ups in the automotive industry.

Commenting on these two developments, Sumit Sawhney, Country CEO and Managing Director, Renault India Operations, said, “India is an important market for Renault’s global growth plans and we have a thorough business strategy to grow our presence across the country. This is reflected by our strong product strategy, our rapid network expansion and fervent efforts to ensure customer delight. We have expanded our product portfolio to best suit the Indian customer and focusing on new and emerging segments to drive volumes. The SUV segment, which is amongst the fastest growing segments in the Indian automobile industry, has witnessed increasing customer attention to styling and design elements which are playing an important role in the purchase decision.”

“We are delighted to announce that we will launch our premium feature loaded Renault CAPTUR in India this year, which has delivered global success and is widely acclaimed for its stunning design expressive design. CAPTUR has sold over a million cars worldwide and will enhance our product portfolio as we aim to grow our presence in the SUV segment in India. Like all our offerings in India, there will high levels of innovation and customisation in the Renault CAPTUR that will be launched in India, to best suite the Indian customers.”

Renault Captur has a crossover French design with expressive styling, clearly reflecting Renault’s new design DNA, which has played a big role in its global success. Renault Captur has been crafted to appeal to a broad spectrum of tastes and desires. It brings forth the best from the world of Renault in terms of style and designing, in line with Renault’s recent product introductions. Renault has an aggressive plan to successfully launch Captur in India, with several innovative initiatives planned over the next few months.

On the network expansion front, Renault has taken systematic steps to ensure that the Renault brand becomes more accessible across the country. Given the diversity of the Indian landscape and customer demographics, Renault’s efforts towards expanding its network are invested tactically to cater to customers in metro cities as well as across tier II-IV cities. With this, Renault has a clear vision of taking the brand to newer markets, aspiring to be amongst the top 5 automotive brands in the country by 2020.

“Having completed a little over five years of operations in India, we are already the number one European brand in the country. We have a long-term commitment to this dynamic automobile market. We will continue to aggressively ramp up our service network as well as build on our product offensive strategy to drive volumes in India. While doing this, we will continue to introduce several unique and pioneering value-added services that make our customers’ lives easier, reflective of our brand ideology, Passion for Life”, Sawhney added.

Chery has released design sketches of the first model of its all-new model line for global markets, ahead of its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) on 12 September 2017.

The first images of the compact SUV reveal the design direction for Chery’s new nameplate. And while they will wear a Chery badge, they incorporate a new evolution of the Chinese brand’s ‘Life In Motion’ design philosophy.

Ray Bierzynski, Executive Vice President of Chery R&D Center Shanghai, said: “The world premiere of our new compact SUV marks the start of our approach to European sales with a new model line. Launching within a few years, all models in the line-up will feature characteristic styling, user-focused technology, electrified powertrains and advanced safety features.”

The distinctive form of the all-new compact SUV flows from Chery’s progressive ‘Life in Motion’ design philosophy, developed by Chief Designer, James Hope. This evolution of Chery’s brand style is aimed at young, urban, forward-thinking customers who choose sophisticated, high quality products.

Many of the feature lines are inspired by nature and incorporate ‘hydrodynamic surfacing’ characteristics, which convey the pure, aesthetic quality of running water. The muscular and purposeful stance exudes confidence, with a sense of stability assured by the wide track and large, stylish wheels.

The progressive styling is also reflected in the car’s unique brand face. It features a sharp chrome horizontal brand bar, which is complemented by further chrome trim adorning the front bumper, side skirts and window surrounds. Full LED headlamps and a neat rear light cluster design complete the car’s dynamic aesthetic.

Chery plans to start sales of passenger cars in Europe within the next few years led by the all-new model line for global markets, which will focus on SUV and crossover models. Chery is evaluating the sales opportunity in key markets including retail and fleet channels, and is planning new design and R&D facilities in Europe that will accelerate the brand’s plans for global expansion.

Chery is the most successful exporter of vehicles in China. It has sold over 1.2 million units overseas since it was founded in 1997 – more than any other Chinese carmaker – and it is also the first Chinese manufacturer to pass total sales of more than six million vehicles. It has held the status of China’s leading vehicle exporter for 14 consecutive years.

In 2016, Chery (Group) sold over 700,000 units, a year-on-year rise of 28 per cent. Of this number, approximately 100,000 vehicles were exported – representing almost 30 per cent of all Chinese vehicle exports.

Polestar, the performance brand of Volvo Cars, has unveiled the Model Year 2018 Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar, complete with additional aerodynamic components made from lightweight carbon fibre material that increase downforce by 30 per cent for improved performance and handling. A limited number of 1,500 vehicles will be produced, with all cars receiving a unique number on the tread plate.

The new aerodynamic exterior package has been developed jointly by the engineers of Polestar and Cyan Racing, the motorsport partner of Polestar, with data and learnings derived from the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) programme where the team is involved in the title fight.

The aerodynamic enhancements include a new front splitter, side sills and a rear spoiler extension, all made in lightweight carbon fibre, increasing the downforce by 30 per cent. The new components increase grip and high-speed stability, providing a car with the duality of being at ease in everyday driving as well as providing the driver with further control and feedback on an inspiring stretch of road or during an evasive manoeuvre for example.

Many of these components were developed and tested during Polestar Cyan Racing’s recently-revealed secret Nurburgring test where a Polestar S60 claimed the record for the fastest four-door road legal car around the infamous Nordschleife circuit.

Other visual changes include high-gloss black Polestar diamond cut wheels, carbon fibre door mirror casings and a new colour; Bursting Blue Metallic. The interior has been updated with a new seat upholstery, blue contrast stitching and Polestar embroidering.

More than 250 components have been changed compared to the ‘standard’ Volvo model to create a car with all the usability and practicality of the Volvo S60 and V60, but also delivering all-year round sports car performance. Key component changes include the adjustable Ohlins shock absorber system and six-piston Brembo brake callipers with 371 millimetre discs.

The S60 and V60 Polestar retains the award-winning 367-hp Drive-E engine, one of the most powerful four-cylinder production engines in the world, with fuel consumption and emissions at a class-leading level of 7,8 l/100 km and 179 CO2 g/km.

“The Model Year 18 S60 and V60 Polestar models are the pinnacle of our road car programmes that we have been developing successfully since our first road car was launched in 2013,” said Jörgen Ronstad, Vice President, Product Strategy & Management at Polestar.

“The aerodynamic enhancements, combined with other small but important changes, further enhances our base philosophy of a performance car for all roads and conditions, transferring technology and learnings from track to road.”

A milestone production anniversary: over eighty years ago Volkswagen was founded. Since then, 150 million vehicles, including icons such as the Golf or the Beetle, have been built around the world at over 50 production sites in 14 countries. The brand’s current product portfolio includes over 60 models worldwide. Volkswagen moves people – across the globe. On Friday, August 25, the anniversary car, a blue Golf GTE, rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg. The plug-in hybrid is a symbol of the future of mobility at Volkswagen – and at the same time, it is testimony to a powerful team performance.

Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, addressed the team in Assembly Hall 12: “150 million vehicles – that means we have made the dream of owning a car come true 150 million times for customers all over the world. You and your day-to-day work are the basis for this success. My colleagues on the Board of Management join me in thanking all Volkswagen employees – at all our sites. This anniversary would not have been possible without your commitment.”

In 2017 alone, Volkswagen is launching over 10 new models worldwide. There will be 19 new SUVs in total by 2020. The I.D. family with the new electric architecture (MEB) then marks the start of the Volkswagen brand’s electric offensive from 2020. One million electric Volkswagens are to hit the road by 2025. Technological digitalisation, increasing connectivity and sensor technology bring entirely new perspectives. “In the present phase, it is vital that Volkswagen continues to develop successfully. Because we are a strong team, we get the job done, and we have a good plan for the future. We must consistently work on our performance in order to remain successful. Past success is no guarantee for the future”, Diess went on to say.

Chairman of the Volkswagen Group and General Works Council, Bernd Osterloh, commented: “150 million vehicles – that is a truly incredible number. It is 150 million Volkswagens that have taken their drivers hundreds of thousands of kilometers, commuting to work, enjoying leisure time, going on vacation, or traveling on business. This anniversary proves our colleagues have done a splendid job for generations. Here at Volkswagen, we build top-quality cars. And we will continue to do so in future. Our workforce has every reason to be proud of that.”

The series production of the Volkswagen brand began on December 27, 1945 with the Type 1 Kafer. In the post-war era, it was the Volkswagen Beetle that initially shaped the automobile industry. All in all, 21.5 million of this much-loved small car were built before production finally came to an end in Mexico in 2003.

The Volkswagen Golf topped the Beetle record. The 25 millionth Volkswagen Golf left the assembly line in Wolfsburg in 2007, by 2013 the number had already risen to 30 million. Today, Volkswagen produces the bestselling Golf in the seventh generation and has already built more than 34 million worldwide. For decades, the Golf has been the yardstick in the compact segment.

The Volkswagen brand’s product portfolio currently includes more than 60 models worldwide. Apart from the Beetle and the Golf, more than 20 million Passat, some 19.5 million Jetta and almost 17 million Polo have been produced.

The workforce at the main plant in Wolfsburg in particular has made a key contribution to today’s anniversary, building over 44 million vehicles since production began some 72 years ago.

As part of the biggest model offensive in its history, Volkswagen is extending its model range by adding a compact-class crossover: the T-Roc. The new crossover from Volkswagen brings fresh impetus to the compact SUV class. It offers a scope for personalisation, innovative digitalisation, great connectivity, leading driver assistance systems, dynamic engines and above all modern, expressive design. A car that is just as much at home in the city as it is on rough terrain.

Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management, said at the world premiere in Italy: “The T-Roc sets a new benchmark in the booming SUV segment. With its functionality, dynamic handling and technology, the T-Roc embodies all good Volkswagen qualities. It marks a milestone in our SUV offensive.”

The SUV market is booming – especially in the compact segment. Experts estimate that the segment will almost double in size over the next decade. It is for this reason that Volkswagen is bringing in another attractive model in the compact SUV space, below the Tiguan: the T-Roc. With its package of features it should appeal to customers of every age, from young singles to empty nesters. With its sporty modern design, it stands for a new emotive Volkswagen style and thus sets a new course within the model range.

Snappy, sporty dimensions outside, great functionality inside – that’s the new T-Roc. The optionally front-wheel or all-wheel drive all-rounder combines the aplomb of an SUV with the agility of a sporty compact model. And it does indeed rock the segment – in varying ways depending on specification and above all colour combination. For the T-Roc is the first Volkswagen SUV that will be available to order in two-tone paintwork with visually contrasting roof section (including the A-pillars and exterior mirror housings).

Numerous design elements define the new five-seater’s style: at the front it is the wide radiator grille unit with integrated dual headlights and the repositioned light signature, which make the T-Roc unmistakable even at night. The lines of the elongated silhouette are on the other hand characterised by a particularly striking chrome element that runs from the A-pillars across the complete side roof line all the way into the C-pillar and is reminiscent in form of a coupe. The off-road look is enhanced by all-round, dark plastic trim, which protects the bodywork around the wheel arches and side sills, as well as the vehicle’s front and rear.

The interior has been adapted to the exterior design. It has a robust SUV feel and modern treatment of surfaces. The interplay between the Active Info Display and the specific infotainment system creates a new, digital and interactive cockpit. Via smartphone and Volkswagen Car Net it is possible to use a wide spectrum of online services and apps and to integrate the telephone and/or media library. Another feature being offered by Volkswagen in the new T-Roc is the “Security & Service” package (including Emergency Service, Automatic Accident Notification and Roadside Assistance).

The new T-Roc is positioned within the segment below the Tiguan and like the latter and the Atlas/Teramont is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). If all five seats are occupied, luggage space when loaded up to the top edge of the rear seat backrests totals 445 litres. The backrests can also be folded down in a 60/40 split, yielding luggage capacity of up to 1,290 litres. Hardly any other SUV in this class offers such a spacious package.

Even the ‘T-Roc’ base version comes with high-tech systems such as Front Assist area monitoring with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the lane keeping system Lane Assist. Also part of the base specification are details such as air conditioning, the Composition Colour infotainment system, LED tail light cluster, visual underbody guard (black) and LED daytime running lights in the bumper.

Volkswagen will be offering the new crossover based on the ‘T-Roc’ specification version. In addition, two higher lines on a par with each other, ‘Sport’ and ‘Style’, are available in parallel for maximum personalisation of the T-Roc. While the T-Roc ‘Style’ is characterised by exclusive touches such as the interior’s decorative panels available in a choice of four colours, the focus in the case of the T-Roc ‘Sport’ is on sporty features such as the standard sport comfort seats.

In its market segment, the T-Roc is in a league of its own when it comes to its driver assistance systems. Standard features on all T-Roc vehicles include: the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, the active lane keeping system Lane Assist and the Front Assist area monitoring system with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking. The SUV can optionally be configured with ten further driver assistance systems. These include adaptive cruise control (ACC), Rear View reversing camera, the lane change system including Rear Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, lane keeping system Lane Assist, Park Assist including manoeuvring brake function, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist. The T-Roc can be adapted to the driver’s personal preferences via a range of further assistance systems that is exceptionally large for this vehicle class. In addition to adaptive chassis control DCC and progressive steering, these include electric operation of the rear hatch and starting system Keyless Access.

Like the larger Tiguan, the new T-Roc too is being offered with efficient turbocharged engines: three petrol engines (TSI) and three diesels (TDI). They are being offered partly with front-wheel drive and manual gearbox, partly with front-wheel drive, 4Motion all-wheel drive (including 4Motion Active Control as standard) and the dual clutch gearbox (7-speed DSG).

The I.D. Buzz concept car from Volkswagen is being further developed in preparation for its launch as a production vehicle. The Chairmen of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands, Dr Herbert Diess and Dr Eckhard Scholz, announced their production decision today at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California, a unique show for both extraordinary historic cars and new concept vehicles.

“Just the right place for the I.D. BUZZ,” explains Diess. “The vehicle is an important pillar in Volkswagen’s electric drive initiative and carries the Microbus driving feeling into the future.”

Within the framework of its further development activities, Volkswagen has also set a launch date for the I.D. Buzz, which will arrive at dealerships after the compact four-door I.D. model in 2022. Volkswagen is mainly targeting the markets in North America, Europe and China with both the I.D. Buzz and the I.D. family overall.

“After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, ‘please build this car'”, Volkswagen CEO Dr Herbert Diess reported in Pebble Beach. It’s also no coincidence that the Board of Management chose Pebble Beach as the location to make its announcement, as Diess explained: “The Microbus, which is what the Bulli is called in America, has always been part of the California lifestyle. Now we’re bringing it back by developing Volkswagen’s next e-generation and by reinventing the Bulli as an electric vehicle.”

As was the case with the “Show Car of the Year” in Detroit, the production model will also have its batteries mounted in the vehicle floor. The electric drive doesn’t take up much space, which means the front and rear axles can be mounted very far apart from one another. This results in a long wheelbase and short overhangs, which makes for more space in the interior. “The vehicle therefore looks like a short compact van on the outside, even as it offers the generous interior space of a large van”, Diess explained. The result is a superior package that offers both the driver and passengers plenty of room for a comfortable journey.

Those who wish to use the model to transport cargo will get what they need as well: “Along with a minibus version, we’ll also be offering an I.D. BUZZ Cargo variant for zero-emission delivery operations in a Level 3 vehicle that boasts a high degree of automated driving capability”, said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles CEO Dr Eckhard Scholz. “It’s an ideal electric van concept, particularly for inner cities.”

Ben Pon, whose family are very successful importers of Volkswagen vehicles in the Netherlands, also expressed great interest in the I.D. BUZZ in California. It was Pon’s father who inspired the development of the first VW Bulli (T1) with a sketch he made more than 70 years ago.

Although Volkswagen’s oldest and newest, very evocatively designed MPV will be separated by more than seven decades when the new model is launched, the I.D. Buzz has the original’s genes, as it offers maximum utilisation of space on the footprint of a midsize passenger car.

With a length of 4,942 mm, a width of 1,976 mm and a height of 1,963 mm, the concept car offers extraordinary space dimensions. The production version, which is based on the new all-electric architecture, will incorporate many design ideas from the concept car. It will also feature variable seating, interactive connectivity and highly automated driving.

Expansion of the electric vehicle range is part of Volkswagen’s Strategy 2025, which foresees more than 30 all-electric models by that time.

This 1954 XK120 SE by Pininfarina could be the rarest Jaguar ever.

After a full nut and bolt restoration taking 6,725 hours by specialists Classic Motor Cars (CMC), the wraps came off this unique Pininfarina bodied 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, USA.

The car was well received by the crowd of collectors and aficionados gathered at the event and finished second in class O-2 Postwar Closed. Peter Neumark, Chairman of the Employee Ownership Trust that runs CMC, said: “A great result! It was a privilege to take the cover off this long-lost Jaguar at one of the most important Concours in the world.”

He added: “The car was admired all day and we are delighted to be bringing a trophy home as a further testimony to the skills, dedication and attention to detail that we have in our business.”

This XK120 features unique bodywork by famed Italian coachbuilder and design house Pininfarina. It was first delivered to a Max Hoffman in 1954, who was an Austrian-born, New York-based importer of luxury European automobiles into the United States during the 1950s.

He was a petrol-head who inspired the production and refinement of several vehicles from the main manufacturers, which earned him entry into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2003. It is believed that Hoffman inspired Pininfarina to reinterpret the shapes of the XK and then unveiled it at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show.

After the unveiling in Geneva, the XK appeared at the Autocar Show later in April that year and Australian magazine Modern Motor reported that it was due to be exhibited at the Turin Motor Show in 1956, but never arrived due to the owner wanting to take delivery of it.

David Barzilay, Chairman of CMC’s operating board, said: “There is little trace of the car’s history, but we are certain that Hoffman was the supplying dealer, then first owner of the car and that there was only one XK120 by Pininfarina produced, which makes this one of the rarest Jaguars in existence.”

In 2015, CMC purchased the car from a German gentleman who bought it in the USA in 1978 with the intention of restoring it. Unfortunately, he never got round to it and eventually decided to sell. CMC took on the challenge and have restored every nut and bolt of the vehicle.

The team of specialists faced a number of challenges during the restoration, from finding the original paint colour to remaking the bumpers and rear window screen.

Barzilay said: “Some of the original parts were impossible to find so we had to remake items such as the bumpers and chrome work by hand from photographs. We had to scan the front and rear end of the car and make mock ups of the lights, which were then scanned and 3D printed. Smaller missing parts were also 3D printed in-house.

The rear window was missing so we also had to scan the window aperture and have a new rear screen made from the scan data.”

During the pre-restoration inspection it was found that Pininfarina had used the original XK body as a basis, and that, at some point in its life, the car was painted Burgundy and had the seats covered with tan leather.

Barzilay said: “There were no signs of the original paint colour and it all came down to the last nut and bolt. When the front screen was removed, we discovered a small section of original paint and used it as a colour match.”

He added: “The interior trim door cards were missing, along with the carpets and the original colour of the trim, but we discovered a small sample of original Ochre tan leather when we stripped the car down. This was colour matched and the original type and colour leather was used to recreate the interior. The shape and pattern of the door cards was created by looking at similar Pininfarina designed cars from the period.”

Restoration specification:

• Full body restoration including complete new front end, new rear quarter panels, inner arch panels, boot floor, sills and door skins
• Full chassis repair and repaint
• Front and rear bumpers remade
• 80% of the original chrome work remade
• Rear screen and screen surround remade
• Full interior re-trim
• Full engine and gearbox rebuild [Engine spec: XK 120 3.4 SE (C-Type Head) straight-6, Double SU H6 carburettor, 180 bhp (134 kW; 182 PS) at 5300 rpm]
• Suspension components refurbished
• Completed to original Jaguar equipment specification

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Quartet

One of the most enduring creative partnerships in the automotive industry reached another milestone today. First with the global debut of the Vanquish Zagato Volante, followed by confirmation that not only will the Vanquish Zagato Speedster enter production, but it will be joined by a spectacular Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.

This ‘family’ of four Vanquish Zagato models will yield a total of 325 cars. As the first member of the family, production of the Vanquish Zagato Coupes commenced in late 2016. Next to enter production was the Vanquish Zagato Volante. Once again strictly limited to 99 cars (all of which have been sold), production has commenced and deliveries will be completed through 2018.

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster

Of the two remaining models, the Vanquish Zagato Speedster is the rarest, with a production run of just 28 cars. As you would expect from one of the most collectible and covetable Aston Martins ever, all 28 Vanquish Zagato Speedsters have been sold with deliveries scheduled for 2018. Completing the quartet, the Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake will also enter production in 2018, with a total build run of 99 cars matching those of the Coupe and Volante.

With all four cars based upon the Vanquish S, each Zagato enjoys the combination of 600 PS naturally-aspirated V12 mated to the smooth, slick-shifting Touchtronic III transmission. Together with adaptive damping – fine-tuned for each model – the Vanquish Zagato family promises exceptional driving pleasure that is every bit as stimulating and memorable as their design.

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster

The Speedster and Shooting Brake represent the two extremes of the Vanquish Zagato family. The former is an uncompromising roofless design that expresses the raw excitement of an open-top ultra-high performance sports car. The boldest aspect of the Speedster’s design is the Speed Humps that rise up to form streamlined cowls that flow back from the seats, representing Zagato’s signature ‘double-bubble’ roof. All the body panels are made from carbon fibre (like the other cars in the Vanquish Zagato family), while shared details, such as the Aston Martin Vulcan-inspired ‘Blade’ tail lights and repeated 3D Zagato ‘Z’ motifs in the front grille and rear vent meshes, create an unbroken stylistic thread that connects these otherwise individual creations.

The Shooting Brake is still a strict two-seater, but one conceived as an individual and exceptionally practical GT. The extended roof on the concept sketch bears the iconic Zagato ‘double-bubble’ surfacing complete with glass inlays to let light flood into the cockpit. The sculptural roof culminates in a powered tailgate that opens onto a luxuriously trimmed rear cabin area, complete with a tailored luggage set. With dramatic herringbone carbon fibre facia with anodised bronze rotary controls, extensive ‘Z’ motif quilting and the option of a fully aniline leather upholstery, the Shooting Brake is a fitting complement to the Coupe, Volante and Speedster.

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake

Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said of the Vanquish Zagato family: “We haven’t released Zagato models as a family before, at least not in this way, but the idea is not without precedent. Think back to the DB7 Zagato and DB AR1, or the V8 Zagato Coupe and Volante, for example. We’ve simply taken things a few steps further. 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. And yes, some of them have ordered one example of each. There’s always an over-demand from our clients and patrons. We could easily fulfill demand for more cars than this, but we want Zagato to remain something very special. We’re creating collectibles, future concours cars. With only 325 cars worldwide, divided between 99 Coupes, 99 Volantes, 28 Speedsters and 99 Shooting Brakes – they are still the rarest of the rare.”

Andrea Zagato, CEO of Zagato said of the enduring creative partnership: “Zagato’s relationship with Aston Martin began with my grandfather and the DB4 GT Zagato, almost sixty years ago. To have a creative ‘marriage‘ thrive for three generations is something as unique as the cars themselves. My family name is associated with all kinds of wonderful designs, but for many enthusiasts and collectors around the world those that combine the Z of Zagato with the wings of Aston Martin are the most special. Collaborating closely on the design of four complimentary, yet completely different Vanquish Zagatos has been an incredibly exciting challenge. I’m proud to continue the story my grandfather started and thrilled that our partnership with Aston Martin continues to realise such exciting cars.”

With the presentation of the new T-Roc in seven days’ time, Volkswagen will be introducing a new model that is set to make waves in the compact SUV class: the all-new crossover model boasts crisp proportions, a progressive design and a wealth of innovations.

In urban traffic or on long trips, the new T-Roc combines the effortless superiority of an SUV with the agility of a sporty, compact model. Both of these attributes are also reflected in the design, which adopts off-road features and infuses these with dynamism and urban appeal. At the same time, the T-Roc remains clearly recognisable as a Volkswagen. A style-defining feature in the front is the wide radiator grille with integrated dual headlights. Separate from the headlights, the housings for turn indicators and daytime running/cornering lights are positioned in the bumper, together with the light signature which provides the T-Roc with a distinctive appearance at night, too.