Thursday, February 1, 2007

Bidding Heats Up for Aston Martin

LONDON — The second round of bidding has begun as Ford Motor Co. looks to sell Aston Martin for a reported 450 million pounds (approximately $880 million), the Financial Times said on Wednesday. Unnamed sources say that "People have increased their bid prices."

Aston Martin v8Bidders were said to include Syrian-born property tycoon Simon Halabi and Doughty Hanson & Co., a British private equity group. Other bidders may include Canadian auto supplier Magna and a consortium including Australian media executive James Parker.

Earlier this month, Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally said the company will make a call this year on the sale of Aston Martin.

© Source: article on insideline

Hummer Rolls Out H2 Victory Red Limited-Edition Models

DETROIT — Hummer has unveiled the H2 Victory Red Limited Edition, the latest appearance package for its SUV and SUT models. The automaker said the models will hit showrooms in February with SUV pricing starting at $66,930 and SUT pricing starting at $66,475, both including a $900 destination charge.

Hummer H2 Victory Red Limited Edition ModelThe Victory Red Limited Edition features a red exterior, a rearview camera and a premium appearance package that bundles body-color fender moldings and rocker moldings with an integrated assist step. It also includes a lower-profile roof-mounted light bar with integrated lamps, chrome exterior trim and 17-inch flangeless chrome wheels. The cabin is outfitted with new carbon-fiber accents.

The special-edition model has a heated windshield wiper system with warm fluid and a rear-seat DVD system with dual headrest-mounted viewing screens and wireless headphones. Other tech touches include a rear-vision system with a 3.5-inch display housed in the rearview mirror.

The new H2 models are equipped with a 325-horsepower 6.0-liter V8. The base price on the Hummer H2 is $54,850, including a $900 destination charge.

© Source: article on insideline

$300,000+ Zagato Version of Spyker C12 La Turbie To Debut

GENEVA — Dutch carmaker Spyker is set to unveil an Italian-flavored special edition of the C12 La Turbie during the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

Spyker C12 La TurbieThe special model, which has not yet been christened, will have a body penned by Italian design house Zagato. All 25 units of the Zagato-bodied Spyker C12 La Turbie have been sold at a price ($345,625) double that of a standard C12.

The Spyker C12 La Turbie made its worldwide debut during the Geneva Motor Show in 2005. It was the first Spyker powered by the 6.0-liter W12 Audi engine.

Spyker will also roll out a "drivable" version of its D12 Peking-to-Paris, a concept presented in 2006 at the Geneva show.

© Source: article on insideline