Aston Martin One-77 Almost Sold Out

One of the most eagerly anticipated cars for 2011 has to be the limited edition Aston Martin One-77. This $2-million rolling sculpture features a 7.3-liter, V12 that produces 750 hp and 553 ft-lbs of torque. All that power will be transferred to only the rear-wheels via a six-speed paddle shift gearbox, made especially for this car by Graziano.

In testing, this 3,300 lb, all carbon-fiber car has already hit more than 220 mph, and sprints from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. The stuff of dreams for any car enthusiast for sure, and since only 77 will ever be made, it will surely be a rare sight.

However, the current state of the world’s economy has not been kind to this project. So far, only 60 have been confirmed sold, so to create more interest in this car, Aston Martin is taking it on an Asian tour, which include stops in cash-rich regions like Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and China.

Hopefully Aston Martin will also one day drop one by the AutoGuide office. We promise to do our best to raise its profile.

Report: Mercedes Considering Expanding AMG Ranks With Baby SLS

New AMG model would act as rival to Porsche 911

There’s no official word yet, but Mercedes’ high-performance AMG division is looking to expand and may do so by adding a baby SLS to the lineup. As the new sports car flagship for the Mercedes brand, the 563-hp SLS has just launched in the U.S. and is the first-ever ground up vehicle to be built by AMG.

A new, smaller version of the SLS would reportedly use the new car’s chassis, but with smaller dimensions, which is certainly possible as the SLS, with its front/mid engine configuration already has plenty of space up front that can be cut. A new V8 engine would be built for the car with a displacement under the current car’s 6.2-liters. It would get direct-injection as well as a new cylinder cut-off technology (using just four-cylinders when all eight aren’t needed), which is currently being developed for the next generation SLS.

This new AMG model would ideally be a shopping alternative for those in the market for a Porsche 911.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Win a Factory Tour and Test Drive the SLS AMG Supercar? Yes, Please!

As part of their series of SLS AMG ‘Rare Experience’ contests, this time Mercedes-Benz is giving you a chance to win an exclusive guided tour of the AMG factory in Affalterbach, Germany along with the opportunity to drive the SLS AMG supercar after watching it come together on the assembly line. And if that’s not sweet enough for you, the boys at AMG are also throwing in a a two-night hotel stay for you and the companion of your choice along with a visit to the famous Mercedes-Benz museum and a complimentary dinner for two.

This rare experience is scheduled to take place on August 3rd to 5th, 2010, with the contest ending on July 19th. To enter, all you need to visit your nearest Mercedes-Benz retailer and take a close look at the SLS AMG ‘Astonishing Power’ poster inside to find the hyperlink required to enter the competition online. Or if the internet has made you as lazy as we are, you can find the poster here as well.

If you turn out to be the lucky winner, don’t forget to pack your driving shoes and send us a post card!

Infiniti IPL Performance Models Could Get AMG Power, Flaunt It

The recent tie-up between Mercedes parent company Daimler and Nissan/Renault has resulted in numerous proposed vehicle partnerships, with the latest being in the high-performance arena.

According to one report, sources inside Nissan have indicated that its Infiniti luxury line could use AMG engines in their special lineup of IPL (Infiniti Performance Line) models. Infiniti first debuted the IPL G Coupe at the Pebble Beach show earlier this year, but the reception was lukewarm with the IPL falling well-short of the BMW M3.

What would help the G37 become a high-performance model would be a rumored turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that Mercedes is working on. This engine could produce as much as 400-hp.

The partnership would also give Infiniti access to AMG’s nearly-retired 6.2-liter V8, as Mercedes switches over to a new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 for its performance models. There’s even the possibility that these AMG-powered Infinitis could run the iconic three-letter badge.

Like with all past reports, there’s an underlying indication from the folks inside Infiniti that they’re open to all possibilities regarding the IPL line, which has so far failed to meet expectations.

[Source: AutoCar]

Saab, BMW to Announce Partnership on Wednesday

After numerous rumors, reports and plenty of speculation, Saab is set to sign a deal with BMW that will see the Swedish automaker get access to BMW technology and parts for future models. It is believed the first such model will include the a Saab small car based on the current MINI Cooper platform.

News of the deal comes via Dutch broadcaster NOS citing sources at both automakers who claims an announcement by both BMW and Saab will come this Wednesday.

Earlier this year Saab was saved from liquidation by little-known Dutch sports car maker Spyker, when it purchased the Swedish brand from General Motors. This deal could see Saab and Spyker head towards profitability in a world where, increasingly, small automakers are being forced to team up with larger players or simply disappear.

[Source: Reuters]

GM to Expand Volt Range to Three Models by 2015

General Motors will look to expand its lineup of extended range electric cars to three models by the time the current Chevrolet Volt’s production cycle has run its course. At least that is GM’s plan for the European market under the Opel/Vauxhall brands where GM has just launched the sister car to the Volt, the Opel Ampera.

According to a report by AutoCar, the new models will arrive in 2015, with the most important being a successor to the original Volt, which will grow in size.

According to GM Europe president Nick Reilly, the ‘Ampera’ family of cars will also include a Astra-sized hatchback, as well as a five-seater crossover – likely based on the Volt MPV5 concept (above), which debuted earlier this year at the Beijing Motor Ahow.

The cost for producing vehicles like the Volt is predicted to decline significantly says Reilly, commenting that GM believes the electrical components required to build the Volt’s powertrain will drop in price by 50 percent over the next five years. Those cost savings, combined with increased popularity of EVs and continued government incentives will drive of demand of such vehicles in the future, allowing GM to expand its lineup to meet the market.

[Source: AutoCar]

GM to Expand Volt Range to Three Models by 2015

General Motors will look to expand its lineup of extended range electric cars to three models by the time the current Chevrolet Volt’s production cycle has run its course. At least that is GM’s plan for the European market under the Opel/Vauxhall brands where GM has just launched the sister car to the Volt, the Opel Ampera.

According to a report by AutoCar, the new models will arrive in 2015, with the most important being a successor to the original Volt, which will grow in size.

According to GM Europe president Nick Reilly, the ‘Ampera’ family of cars will also include a Astra-sized hatchback, as well as a five-seater crossover – likely based on the Volt MPV5 concept (above), which debuted earlier this year at the Beijing Motor Ahow.

The cost for producing vehicles like the Volt is predicted to decline significantly says Reilly, commenting that GM believes the electrical components required to build the Volt’s powertrain will drop in price by 50 percent over the next five years. Those cost savings, combined with increased popularity of EVs and continued government incentives will drive of demand of such vehicles in the future, allowing GM to expand its lineup to meet the market.

[Source: AutoCar]