Aston Martin has announced the DBS 770 Ultimate. The most powerful production Aston Martin ever, it is a fitting farewell to the current DBS generation. Before we proceed, a short note on the DBS and Ultimate name plates.
The current DBS model was launched in 2018 as the second V12-powered DBS generation. It was soon recognised as Aston Martin’s ‘Super GT’ often described by the coinage ‘brute in a suit’. The DBS models have bookended Daniel Craig’s stint as the secret agent 007 beginning with a prototype appearance in Casino Royale and concluding with the second generation’s presence In No Time To Die.
The Ultimate nameplate has been reserved only for Aston Martin’s range-topping series production models. It adorned the two generations each of DBS and Vanquish, every time celebrating the end of an era as an outgoing model line reaches the end of its production. For this reason, cars bearing the Ultimate name are among the most treasured of all contemporary Aston Martin models.
Back to the DBS 770 Ultimate. Its uprated 5.2 L twin-turbo V12 engine delivers 770 PS at 6500 rpm and a whopping 900 Nm of torque from 1800 to 5000 rpm via a ZF 8-speed transmission. There is no dearth of aerodynamic drama as seen in a new front splitter, dramatic horse-shoe vent and deeper set rear diffuser for improved engine cooling and balance. The suspension, steering, transmission and underbody have been purposefully improved for increased response and agility as the car heads for its top speed of 340 kmph. The 499 examples of limited production – 300 Coupes and 199 Volantes – have already been spoken for.
5 YEARS IN THE ARIZONA DESERT: HOW BENTLEY IS ENSURING BATUR IS THE ULTIMATE GT
2022 closed with a sure pointer to the future for Bentley – and an exciting one at that. The Bentley Batur began real-world road trials across Europe, following its first appearance at Monterey Car Week earlier in August, and the few that followed. Those two development Baturs are now engaged in a rigorous programme of tests to complete and sign-off an extensive engineering programme. The Batur is limited to just 18 examples and are due to begin deliveries after mid-2023.
Real world testing
They have been reserved, including several by customers from the Middle East, where the Mulliner’s craftsmanship and bespoke models elicit great interest. More than 120 individual tests range from checking the quality of the surface finish of the gold “organ stop” ventilation controls, to the new W12 engine hardware and software. Validated over 100+ weeks of vehicle development testing, the Batur has been the most powerful Bentley in history – with at least 740 PS.The first activity for one of the developments Batur’s – Car #0 – is an extensive 2,500-kilometre drive across Europe to simulate real world conditions. The route leaves Germany and travels through Italy, France, and Spain before high-speed testing work is undertaken at proving grounds.
Paul Williams, Chief Technical Officer for Mulliner, cites the importance of this testing process. “There are a number of unique features that bring new challenges. Even small details such as the angle of the diamond in the front grille representing the cylinder angle in the W12 engine have to be considered. And even though there will only be 18 Baturs produced, the level of quality has to be identical to every one of the 15,000 cars Bentley is currently producing each year.”
After seven merciless weeks on proving grounds, Batur Car #0 will go through another 7,500 kilometres of real-world driving. Then comes the environmental testing. Just under four weeks, the car will endure 600 hours of solar loading – equivalent to five years in an Arizona desert. This is particularly important for the new sustainable materials used in the exterior components, as an alternative to carbon fibre.
The refined pleasure inside is enhanced by new technology such as the Mulliner by Naim Audio system. The system from the Continental GT will be transformed with 20 new Focal speakers, to deliver a truly immersive audio experience configured exclusively for Batur.
UAE to host Ferrari Racing Days
From February 2nd to 5th, Ferrari will reaffirm the significance of the region in their scheme of things with the annual carnival of all its client-racing activities including Ferrari’s top-line racing events such as the Ferrari Challenge, F1 Clienti, XX program, Club Competizioni GT, Club Challenge and Passione Ferrari.
The Ferrari Challenge, which is the Prancing Horse brand’s one-make championship that started in 1993 and features Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo cars, will have its final two rounds for the 2022 season during Ferrari Racing Days.
F1 Clienti and the XX Program, two of the most exclusive activities, bring back to the track Ferrari F1 World Championship cars used between the 1920s and 1970s, and these include one F300, one F2001, two F2007s, one F60, one F138, and one SF70H.
The XX Program features hypercars developed by Ferrari, where clients get to drive track-only cars such as the newest model the FXX-K Evo, along with the FXX and 599XX.
The Club Competizioni GT, which is a private, non-competitive event, will bring well-renowned GT racing cars from the past 30 years – including 488 GT3 and 488 GT Modificata that were unveiled in 2020.
Ferrari Challenge schedule
Thursday, February 2nd (two test sessions of the Ferrari Challenge)
Friday, February 3rd, free practice sessions for F1 Clienti, XX Program, Club Competizioni GT and Club Challenge
Saturday, February 4th – qualifying round of the Ferrari Challenge
and race in the afternoon
Sunday, February 5th where the second qualifying session, Race of Ferrari Challenge and Passione Ferrari.
Great Wall Motor launches first Regional PDC
Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) launched its first Regional Parts Distribution Centre for the Middle East region, located in the UAE.
Supported by Swaidan Trading, their exclusive dealer in the UAE, GWM aims to enhance its after-sales services and further fulfil the needs of its customers in 22 markets across the Middle East and North Africa.
GWM seeks to optimise parts supply, response speed and parts-related operations while expanding the parts range. Their broader service excellence plan, launched six months ago, aims to elevate the satisfaction rate of end-users and dealers.
GWM also has plans to build a local parts distribution centre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the end of Q1. The models recently launched in the Middle East include TANK 300, Haval Dargo and Poer King Kong. With the new fortified logistics, the region will soon witness the introduction of GWM’s zero emissions brand “ORA” as well asHEV products from both Haval and TANK brands.
