monterey 2009

Luxist Drives the Aston Martin DBS Volante, and it Gives Convertibles a Very, Very Good Name

When you love the performance of a particular coupe, it's not often that you get to hop in the convertible version and say to yourself, "So... you mean I can have the same thing with the top down?" But in between the tight and relentless esses of Monterey's Carmel Valley Road, that's what we found ourselves debating. What we settled on was this: While the handling envelope of the DBS coupe is excellent, the envelope of the DBS Volante is, well, excellent.

Tags: aston martin, aston martin dbs, aston martin dbs volante, AstonMartin, AstonMartinDbs, AstonMartinDbsVolante, monterey 2009, Monterey2009, pebble beach 2009, PebbleBeach2009, wheels

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The Aston Martin One-77 has Overdosed on Low and Mean

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

While traipsing around Carmel during Pebble Beach weekend, we found the Aston Martin One-77 tucked between hospitality tables like a manta ray brooding within a coral reef -- as if it were grudgingly consenting to being looked at. With a roofline that sits about four inches lower than a DBS, the minimal height, exceptional girth, and slew of edged features combine to create one angry car.

Yet it does possess its moments of soft beauty: the engine bay is a case of stupendous craftsmanship; we'd use the mirror-finish twin-spoke wheels to do our shaving every morning; the carbon fiber rear suspension weaving its way through leather-trimmed panels is nothing short of delicious. Inside, the car is minutely detailed, with black leather and white cross-stitching slathering nearly every deeply arced surface -- at least, all those that aren't carbon fiber and aluminum. Everything other than the white-backed center console gauges elicits a slightly intoxicated "Yes" from our hearts. That's the velvet glove side of the One-77.

Its iron fist is much bigger, and it wears brass knuckles in the form of a 7.3-liter V12. Best of all, Even better: there's still time to get one. You can place a call to Aston Martin for an order, after which they'll ask you to wire $1.8 million. Or you can simply enjoy the beast in the gallery below.

Tags: aston martin, aston martin one-77, AstonMartin, AstonMartinOne-77, monterey 2009, Monterey2009, one-77, pebble beach 2009, PebbleBeach2009, wheels

Hyundai Pulls Out the Big Guns by Bringing Flagship Equus to America

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Hyundai may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of luxury sedans. In fact, it was once a bit of a punch line. But no more. After the debut of the Genesis sedan and coupe, the Korean automaker has established itself as a serious player in the luxury segment, and has got Japan's top premium marques paying attention. Now Hyundai is preparing to step it up a notch by bringing its top-of-the-line Equus luxury sedan to the North American market. After an initial showing at the New York Auto Show in April, the Hyundai Equus is set to make its official Stateside debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this weekend. Lexus, Acura and Infiniti had better take notice, as should anyone in the market for a luxury sedan who's eager to get a good value and willing to forgo the traditional nameplates.

Tags: breaking, equus, hyundai, hyundai equus, HyundaiEquus, monterey 2009, Monterey2009, pebble beach, PebbleBeach