Tag Archives: vehicles

Aston Martin DBX GT Arrives With 717bhp and Bentley Bentayga-Focused Luxury

Aston Martin is expanding the DBX range with a new DBX GT, a more luxurious and comfort-focused version of its high-performance SUV designed to appeal to buyers who value refinement, craftsmanship and quiet luxury as much as outright performance.

Positioned as a direct rival to the Bentley Bentayga, the Aston Martin DBX GT combines a plush, understated character with the same formidable twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain found in the more aggressive DBX S. With 717bhp, 664lb ft of torque and a claimed 0-62mph time of just 3.3 seconds, the DBX GT is hardly lacking in performance.

However, Aston Martin has deliberately changed the character of the SUV. Rather than emphasizing sporting aggression, the DBX GT is designed to deliver a quieter, smoother and more sophisticated driving experience.

Aston Martin DBX GT Targets the Luxury SUV Market

Aston Martin describes the DBX GT as being aimed at customers who prefer “assured elegance over sporting aggression” and expect a higher level of luxury from their SUV.

That positioning places the new model between traditional high-performance SUVs and ultra-luxury vehicles such as the Bentley Bentayga. The DBX GT is intended to offer the performance associated with Aston Martin while placing greater emphasis on comfort, craftsmanship and long-distance refinement.

Pricing is expected to start at around £207,000, putting the DBX GT firmly into the high-end luxury SUV market.

The model will also help divide the DBX family into two distinct personalities. The DBX S will continue to target buyers looking for a more aggressive, performance-oriented SUV, competing with vehicles such as the Lamborghini Urus and Ferrari Purosangue.

The DBX GT, meanwhile, takes a more relaxed approach.

717bhp Twin-Turbo V8 Delivers Supercar-Level Performance

Despite its luxury-focused character, the Aston Martin DBX GT retains the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 717bhp and 664lb ft of torque.

That is the same headline output as the DBX S, allowing the GT to accelerate from 0-62mph in a claimed 3.3 seconds.

The result is an unusual combination: an SUV designed around quiet luxury that can still deliver genuinely serious acceleration.

Aston Martin has nevertheless made several changes to ensure that the DBX GT feels different from its more sporting sibling. The accelerator pedal mapping has been revised to provide what the company describes as a greater sense of precision and control, while the exhaust has been tuned to produce a quieter soundtrack in Normal mode.

Drivers who want more drama can switch to Sport mode, where the exhaust is allowed to return to its louder “full voice”.

More Restrained Exterior Design

The visual changes distinguish the DBX GT from the aggressive appearance of the DBX S.

At the front, the GT receives a new dual-vaned grille instead of the DBX S’s motorsport-inspired honeycomb design. Buyers will be able to choose between a bright chrome finish and a darker metal treatment.

The side strake is also finished in bright silver metal rather than black, while the lower bodywork is painted to match the exterior. This gives the DBX GT a considerably more discreet appearance than the DBX S, which uses black splitters and side skirts to emphasize its performance credentials.

At the rear, Aston Martin has adopted horizontally arranged quad exhaust outlets rather than the vertically stacked arrangement used by the DBX S.

The design philosophy is clear: the DBX GT is intended to look expensive and sophisticated rather than overtly aggressive.

22-Inch Wheels Prioritize Comfort

The DBX GT rides on bespoke 22-inch wheels fitted with all-season tyres.

Aston Martin says the tyre choice has been made specifically to maximize ride compliance and minimize road noise, reinforcing the SUV’s emphasis on comfort.

Customers can also specify optional 23-inch wheels for a more imposing appearance.

While larger wheels can often compromise ride comfort, the DBX GT has received suspension revisions intended to offset that effect and provide a more compliant ride over uneven surfaces.

A More Luxurious Aston Martin DBX Interior

Inside, Aston Martin has concentrated heavily on craftsmanship and comfort.

The seats have been redesigned and feature an additional memory-foam layer intended to improve support and provide a more luxurious feel on longer journeys.

The same philosophy extends to the second row. The outer rear seats have been reshaped and are now treated as individual luxury seats, similar in concept to the front seats. A central seat remains available, allowing the DBX GT to accommodate a fifth passenger when required.

Aston Martin has also upgraded the appearance and tactile quality of the cabin with anodized metal finishes for the drive selector and other switchgear.

The company describes these details as providing a “jewellery-quality finish”, while a selection of GT-specific multi-colour upholstery combinations gives customers greater scope for personalization.

Aston Martin Focuses on Quiet Luxury

One of the biggest differences between the DBX GT and the DBX S is not immediately visible.

Aston Martin has modified the body structure and increased sound deadening in an effort to reduce unwanted road and powertrain noise.

The company claims these changes deliver a 13% improvement in its “articulation index”, essentially making it easier for occupants to hold a conversation or make a phone call while travelling.

That detail highlights the role Aston Martin sees for the DBX GT. Rather than simply being a softer version of a performance SUV, it is designed as a luxury grand tourer with the ability to cover long distances at high speed while keeping occupants isolated from the outside world.

The suspension has also been softened to improve compliance over rough surfaces.

DBX GT Revives the Original DBX Philosophy

The new model also represents something of a return to the philosophy of the original Aston Martin DBX.

The original DBX was discontinued in 2024 when the more powerful DBX 707 became the sole version of the SUV. That model was subsequently replaced by the DBX S, which pushed the performance envelope even further.

The arrival of the DBX GT effectively restores a second personality to the DBX family.

Where the DBX S is engineered around performance and aggressive styling, the GT brings the focus back toward luxury, comfort and understated design.

That makes the new model particularly relevant in a segment where buyers increasingly expect an SUV to combine high performance with limousine-like comfort.

Aston Martin DBX GT vs Bentley Bentayga

The DBX GT’s positioning makes its rivalry with the Bentley Bentayga particularly significant.

Both SUVs target customers looking for luxury, exclusivity and strong performance without sacrificing everyday usability. The difference is largely one of character.

The DBX GT uses Aston Martin’s sporting heritage and 717bhp powertrain as the foundation, but deliberately tones down the visual and acoustic aggression normally associated with a high-performance SUV.

The result is an Aston Martin designed to appeal to buyers who want extreme performance available when required, but who do not necessarily want their luxury SUV to advertise it at every opportunity.

That places the DBX GT in a different part of the market from the more overtly sporting DBX S.

Orders Open for the New Aston Martin DBX GT

Aston Martin is already accepting orders for the new DBX GT, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin toward the end of the year.

With an expected starting price of around £207,000, the DBX GT enters one of the most exclusive areas of the luxury SUV market.

Its formula is straightforward but ambitious: take the 717bhp performance of the DBX S, add greater ride comfort, improved sound insulation, more luxurious materials and a more restrained exterior, then position the result against the Bentley Bentayga.

The Aston Martin DBX GT therefore isn’t simply a softer DBX S. It is a deliberate attempt to create a high-performance luxury SUV for customers who would rather arrive in comfort and silence than make a statement with aggression.

Source: Aston Martin

MANSORY Vincerò: Bugatti Mistral Transformed Into a Bespoke One-Off Hypercar

MANSORY has unveiled the Vincerò, an extraordinary one-off creation based on the Bugatti Mistral, taking one of the world’s most exclusive open-top hypercars into an even more bespoke and visually dramatic direction.

The MANSORY Vincerò combines the unmistakable design DNA of the Bugatti Mistral with MANSORY’s signature approach to personalization, extensive use of exposed carbon fibre and a completely reworked interior. As a one-off commission, the Vincerò is designed not simply as a modified Mistral, but as an individually tailored hypercar created around the preferences of its owner.

MANSORY Vincerò brings a new interpretation of the Bugatti Mistral

The Bugatti Mistral already occupies a rare position in the hypercar world, combining extreme performance with the experience of an open-top grand tourer. MANSORY has used that foundation for the Vincerò project, introducing a series of newly developed exterior components while retaining the fundamental proportions of the original car.

A major focus of the Vincerò is its extensive use of coloured exposed carbon fibre. The lightweight material is applied across numerous newly developed body components, giving the one-off hypercar a highly customized appearance while reinforcing its performance-oriented character.

At the front, MANSORY has developed a redesigned front apron that gives the Vincerò a more assertive visual presence. The changes continue along the sides, where new aerodynamic elements and redesigned mirror housings further distinguish the car from the standard Bugatti Mistral.

The rear section has also undergone a comprehensive redesign. MANSORY says each component was engineered to integrate with the Mistral’s original design while emphasizing its distinctive proportions and exclusive character.

Extensive exposed carbon fibre defines the Vincerò

Carbon fibre is central to the MANSORY Vincerò’s visual identity. Rather than simply adding aftermarket styling elements, MANSORY has developed an extensive collection of bespoke carbon-fibre components specifically for the one-off project.

The coloured exposed carbon fibre provides a particularly distinctive finish, allowing the material itself to become an important part of the vehicle’s design rather than being hidden beneath conventional paint.

The result is a Bugatti Mistral that maintains its recognizable silhouette while gaining a considerably more individualized appearance.

For MANSORY, the project also demonstrates the company’s broader philosophy of creating highly personalized vehicles in which virtually every major design element can be tailored to an individual customer.

A completely bespoke Bugatti Mistral interior

Inside, the transformation is even more extensive. MANSORY has completely redesigned the cabin using premium leather, exposed carbon-fibre trim and numerous handcrafted details.

The interior can be specified with individually tailored colours, embroidery and bespoke equipment, allowing the customer to create a cockpit that reflects personal tastes rather than following a fixed factory specification.

MANSORY’s approach means that personalization extends to virtually every interior detail. This is particularly significant for a one-off vehicle based on a hypercar as exclusive as the Bugatti Mistral, where individuality becomes an essential part of the car’s appeal.

The combination of handcrafted leatherwork, carbon fibre and bespoke detailing is intended to create an environment that matches the Vincerò’s extensively modified exterior.

MANSORY Vincerò is designed as a true one-off

Unlike a conventional tuning package that can be applied to multiple vehicles, the MANSORY Vincerò has been created as a unique automobile.

That distinction is important. MANSORY’s one-off projects are built around extensive customer involvement, with the specification tailored to individual requirements. Colours, materials, embroidery and equipment can therefore be selected to create a vehicle unlike any other Mistral.

The Vincerò represents this philosophy in its most exclusive form: a Bugatti Mistral transformed through bespoke carbon-fibre bodywork, a fully personalized cabin and extensive handcrafted detailing.

Bugatti Mistral meets MANSORY design philosophy

The MANSORY Vincerò demonstrates how far bespoke automotive design can be taken when the starting point is already one of the world’s most exclusive hypercars.

Rather than replacing the fundamental identity of the Bugatti Mistral, MANSORY has concentrated on enhancing its visual impact through new bodywork, aerodynamic elements, exposed carbon fibre and a completely individualized interior.

With only a single Vincerò being created, the project also becomes an exercise in automotive exclusivity. Every design decision contributes to a car intended to stand apart not only from conventional Mistral models, but also from other highly customized hypercars.

The MANSORY Vincerò is therefore less a traditional tuning project and more a bespoke interpretation of the Bugatti Mistral—one that combines Bugatti’s distinctive design heritage with MANSORY’s uncompromising approach to personalization and craftsmanship.

Source: Mansory

2027 BMW 3 Series Revealed

BMW has revealed the eighth-generation 3 Series, bringing a new generation of petrol-powered executive saloon designed to sit alongside the fully electric BMW i3. Leading the range is the new BMW M350 xDrive, which produces 437bhp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.1sec.

The new BMW 3 Series is scheduled to arrive in the UK in early 2027, with production beginning in November. The saloon will launch first, followed by a BMW 3 Series Touring estate later in 2027.

Although the new 3 Series and i3 share BMW’s latest design language and much of their electronic architecture, the two cars are built on fundamentally different platforms. The electric i3 uses BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, while the combustion-engined 3 Series continues with an evolution of the company’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform.

That distinction is significant because BMW is attempting to make its petrol, hybrid and electric models feel increasingly like members of the same family rather than separate generations of technology.

BMW M350 xDrive becomes the new 3 Series performance flagship

The headline model at launch is the BMW M350 xDrive, priced from £66,785 in the UK.

Under its bonnet is a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine supported by a small electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 437bhp and 428lb ft of torque.

The petrol engine itself produces 420bhp and 388lb ft, while the integrated electric motor contributes an additional 17bhp.

That represents a substantial step forward compared with the outgoing BMW M340i xDrive. The previous model developed 369bhp and 369lb ft, meaning the new M350 gains 68bhp and 59lb ft.

BMW says the M350 xDrive can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.1sec, while its top speed is electronically restricted to 155mph.

Interestingly, the petrol-powered M350 xDrive is actually quicker to 62mph than the more powerful four-wheel-drive BMW i3 50 xDrive. The electric model produces 463bhp and 476lb ft from its two electric motors, but requires 4.7sec to reach 62mph.

The difference comes down largely to weight, with the combustion-engined 3 Series carrying considerably less mass.

The M350 therefore occupies an interesting position in BMW’s performance line-up. It is more powerful than the previous-generation M3 and, at least in straight-line acceleration, gets close to the performance offered by the range-topping electric i3.

A new version of BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system is also introduced, with a Drift Moment function scheduled to become available during 2027. The system will be capable of sending the engine’s power exclusively to the rear wheels, giving the M350 a more playful rear-drive character when conditions and circumstances allow.

The M350 will remain the most performance-focused version of the new 3 Series until the arrival of the next-generation full BMW M3.

New BMW 320 expected to be the UK volume seller

While the M350 xDrive grabs the headlines, BMW expects the rear-wheel-drive 320 to account for the majority of UK sales.

Priced from £44,975, the BMW 320 uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance.

It produces 208bhp and 243lb ft and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW quotes a 0-62mph time of 7.4sec and a top speed of 149mph.

A 318 with 154bhp and 184lb ft will also be offered in European markets, although the exact UK range will be more restricted.

Diesel versions remain part of the broader European 3 Series line-up, but they are unlikely to return to Britain after BMW withdrew diesel versions from the UK market in 2024.

A plug-in hybrid version is also planned and will arrive in 2027, adding another powertrain option to BMW’s increasingly diversified 3 Series range.

BMW 3 Series adopts Neue Klasse-inspired styling

Although the new petrol-powered BMW 3 Series does not use the Neue Klasse platform, its styling has been heavily influenced by the electric i3.

BMW has created a much closer visual relationship between its combustion-engined and electric models. The new 3 Series features a broad horizontal front-end graphic incorporating the traditional BMW kidney grille and twin headlights.

The result is a more unified appearance across BMW’s next generation of cars.

The new car also adopts flush-fitting door handles, traditional cab-back proportions, pronounced rear haunches and slim horizontal rear lights.

The dimensions have increased slightly compared with the outgoing G20-generation 3 Series.

The new combustion-engined 3 Series measures:

  • Length: 4,765mm
  • Width: 1,850mm
  • Height: 1,455mm
  • Wheelbase: 2,880mm

It is therefore 52mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has increased by 9mm.

The electric BMW i3 is subtly different in its proportions. It is slightly shorter but 15mm wider and 25mm taller, while its wheelbase is also marginally longer.

Despite the differences beneath the skin, the visual similarities between the two models are deliberate. BMW wants customers to immediately recognise both cars as members of the same 3 Series family.

M350 xDrive gets distinctive exterior details

BMW has given the M350 xDrive several visual features designed to distinguish it from the standard 3 Series range.

The performance model gets distinctive yellow daytime running lights, a subtle boot-lid spoiler and four exhaust tailpipes.

Customers choosing less powerful versions can still give their cars a more aggressive appearance through BMW’s M Sport packages.

The M Sport package adds redesigned bumpers, side skirts and a rear diffuser, along with blue M Sport brake callipers.

The M Sport Pro package takes the visual treatment further, adding black mirror caps, a black rear spoiler and red M Sport brakes.

This means the new 3 Series can be configured with a relatively understated appearance or given a much more aggressive look without stepping up to the M350.

BMW focuses heavily on chassis improvements

The biggest changes to the new 3 Series are not necessarily visible from outside.

BMW has extensively reworked the chassis, giving the petrol-powered model its own front suspension geometry and a revised five-link rear suspension.

The rear suspension also benefits from increased wheel camber, while BMW has stiffened the chassis mounting points and revised the anti-roll-bar mounting arrangement.

The objective is to improve the car’s combination of steering response, body control, ride comfort and high-speed stability.

Adaptive suspension will be available as an option, as will adaptive M suspension. Both systems use electronically controlled dampers capable of continuously adjusting their response at each wheel.

The changes should help the new 3 Series retain the dynamic character that has traditionally been central to BMW’s compact executive saloon, while accommodating the changing requirements of modern electrified powertrains.

BMW 3 Series and i3 take different technical routes

The most interesting aspect of the new BMW 3 Series is perhaps what lies beneath its familiar body.

The petrol model continues to use BMW’s CLAR architecture, while the electric i3 is built on the company’s Neue Klasse platform.

That means BMW has not simply converted the electric platform to accept an internal-combustion engine. Instead, the two cars have been engineered independently while being brought significantly closer together in terms of styling, interior presentation and electronic architecture.

This approach allows BMW to maintain combustion-engine technology while simultaneously accelerating its electric-car programme.

It also gives the company a way to keep the 3 Series name relevant across different powertrain technologies.

New BMW 3 Series Touring coming later in 2027

The new 3 Series will initially be launched as a saloon, with UK deliveries scheduled for early 2027.

A BMW 3 Series Touring estate will follow later in the year, continuing one of the most important body styles in the model’s history.

The Touring is likely to broaden the appeal of the new generation significantly, particularly among buyers looking for the driving characteristics of a BMW 3 Series combined with additional luggage capacity and everyday practicality.

Source: BMW