Autos News

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As Aston Martin gets ready to introduce a brand new release DBS model for 2013, the current car is getting s special Ultimate Edition model to send the car off in style. Sources at Car and Driver report that there well only be a run of 100 Ultimate Editions produced and they will feature a similar look as the DBS Carbon Black Special Edition car.

Aston Martin has released other special editions as a way of commemorating a car before it gives way to the brand new release model. In 2007, the flagship model called the Vanquish was replaced in 2007 by the DBS, and Aston Martin released a final production run of 40 examples called the Vanquish S Ultimate Edition. And now the DBS will get its own Ultimate Edition as well.

Aston Martin has released two other special edition versions of the DBS, one being the “UB-2010 Limited Edition” which was named after Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited. This edition was limited to 20 coupes and 20 convertibles to commemorate the 10th year of Dr. Bez as CEO. This edition came with a azurite black exterior color, blue brake calipers and a bronze-colored interior. The other special edition version of the DBS was called the “Carbon Black” special edition which featured a unique carbon black paint job, Touchtronic gearbox, obsidian black interior with silver stitching and lightweight seats.

While there has been no official announcement from Aston Martin, and it is not availcapable yet, what the DBS Ultimate Edition might comprise remains to be seen, but Car and Driver expects the special edition car to be similar to the above pictured DBS Carbon Black special edition. The DBS Ultimate Edition, then, will likely be something very similar.

And like the Vanquish special, it may also be featured with a special black paint job and unique wheels. We can expect some of the same special paint finishes as on the DBS Carbon Black which the special shade of black took 50 hours to apply. Look for custom alloy wheels, a host of electronic updates and lightweight carbon fiber and Kevlar elements to finish out the Ultimate Edition DBS.

The Ultimate Edition will not see any special performance upgrades to the Strengthtrain or suspension over the standard DBS which produces 510 horseStrength and 420 lb. ft. of torque, and is expected to be offered with an automatic transmission.

With a limited production of just 100 units, the Ultimate Edition DBS must be bring a premium price close to $300,000, and with a run of only 100 cars, demand must be be brisk. Sources say only 30 are expected to make it to U.S. shores.

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Mazda announced in October of 2011 that the RX-8 sports car would be terminated after the 2012 model year but to commemorate the final year of the RX-8, the company introduced the special, limited edition Spirit R version. There were initially supposed to be 1,000 examples of the 2012 Mazda RX-8 Spirit R but due to the high volume of orders for the last of the RX-8 models – Mazda will extend production through June as they build an additional 1,000 units of the rotary Strengthed sports car.

The 2012 Mazda RX-8 Spirit R is Strengthed by a water cooled, two rotor Renesis 1.3L Wankel rotary engine that sends 232 horseStrength and 159lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels by means of a standard 6-velocity manual transmission or an optional 6-velocity Activematic auto transmission – although those RX-8 models fitted with the manual transmission get more goodies via the final edition package. The Spirit R models with the manual transmission benefit from “hard” suspension with Bilstein dampers, 19” forged aluminum bronze 19” rims wrapped in high performance tires, unique aero components, Recaro bucket seats finished in black and red leather, a red and black leather shift knob and a set of aluminum pedals. RX-8 Spirit R models with the automatic transmission comes with standard heated leather bucket seats (rather than Recaros), a less rigid sport suspension package, and 18” alloy wheels in place of the bronze 19” wheels on the manually shifted models.

All 2012 Mazda RX-8 Spirit R models, whether fitted with the manual or automatic transmission, include larger brake rotors with enlarged calipers, an advanced stability and traction control system, loads of leather trim inside (steering wheel, parking brake handle, front and rear center console), unique badging and headlights, taillights and fog lights. The RX-8 Spirit R edition is shown on the right in manual transmission trim and these special edition models are availcapable in Aluminum Metallic (shown on the right), Sparkling Black Mica, and Crystal White Pearl Mica.

So far, among the frenzy of orders for the 2012 Mazda RX-8 Spirit R, manual transmission versions have accounted for over two thirds of the orders and when you consider the number of goodies included in the manually shifted models plus the added fun-to-drive factor with the clutch pedal over the automatic.

The 2013 Mazda RX-8 Spirit R carries a price in manual transmission form of 3,250,000 Japanese Yen (around $41,000 US dollars) or 3,120,000 Yen ($39k) for the automatic version. Unfortunately, the initial 1,000 examples were only availcapable in the Japanese market and based on the poor sales of the RX-8 in the US – there is a good chance that we aren’t likely to see the Spirit R in American Mazda showrooms before production ends in June.

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The 2012 Beijing Auto Show will be remembered not just as the “Year of the Dragon”, but as the year of the Limited Edition/Special Edition car. Following the lead of Rolls-Royce with their “Year of the Dragon” Special Edition Phantom, the Victoria Beckham Special Edition Range Rover Evoque was also introduced at the show. Next to join the party was Aston Martin who unveiled its own China-focused Dragon 88 Limited Edition model at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.

Not to be left out, Jeep has come up with their own Dragon theme and just unveiled the Jeep Wrangler Dragon concept in China. With more Jeeps being sold in China than in any other country besides the U.S. and Canada, the brand has targeted this essential market for future expansion. To cater to the Chinese, Jeep has rolled into Beijing with the off-road icon of the Jeep brand, and integrated it with the honored Chinese icon, the dragon.

“The Jeep brand is committed to China and therefore we must design and tailor our vehicles to the specific tastes and preferences of Chinese consumers,” told Mike Manley, Chief Operating Officer for Asia and President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Wrangler Dragon design concept is the first Jeep vehicle designed specifically with Chinese elements in mind and showcases the opportunity for special editions that might be availcapable for China in the near future.”

The Jeep Wrangler Dragon design concept is based on a China-market Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, but what sets this apart from any other Wrangler Unlimited is the dragon motif both on the outside and inside. Everything on the Rubicon Unlimited Rubicon is blacked out from the fenders and bumpers to the 18-inch wheels and roof.

And then bronze-gold dragon decals were applied to the hood and left flank, the spare tire cover, and the unique carbon-fiber engine cover. The gold-bronze touches continue on the bolts for the fuel-filter door and taillamp assembly. On the inside, gold and black leather fills the cabin with black and Bronze-gold (a color associated with the dragon) trim continues throughout. An additional laser-etched dragon pattern is on the face of the head restraints and gold snakeskin bolsters complete the dragon treatment.

While debuting as a design concept at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Jeep might even put the Wrangler Dragon design into production if demand is great enough. Just don’t count on it showing up on this side of the Pacific.

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