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Mercedes-Benz to boost stake in Aston Martin to 20%, lend it some tech

Daimler unit Mercedes-Benz is to lift its stake in Britain's Aston Martin to up to 20% by 2023, making it one of the struggling British carmaker's largest shareholders, Aston said on Tuesday. Aston Martin, popular for being James Bond's carmaker of choice, has suffered a torrid time since it went public two years ago, with its shares losing two-thirds of their value this year. The 107-year-old firm hired Tobias Moers, former CEO of Mercedes-AMG, as its new boss from August. Aston said the increase in Mercedes-Benz's stake, from 2.6% currently, would take place in several stages as part of a wider issue of 250 million shares at 50 pence each. The stock issued to the German group will have a maximum value of 286 million pounds ($372.7 million), it said. The deal will see an existing supply agreement between the two firms, in place since 2013, expanded to give Aston Martin access to key Mercedes' technology, including hybrid and electric drive systems. "We take another major step forward as our long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz AG moves to another level, with them becoming one of the company's largest shareholders," said Aston's chairman and biggest shareholder Lawrence Stroll. The German firm will get the right to nominate one non-executive director to Aston Martin's board after its first shareholding increase, the London-listed firm said. Aston, which has started deliveries of its first sport utility vehicle, the DBX, said on Tuesday it swung into an adjusted core loss of 29 million pounds in the third quarter, versus a profit of 43 million pounds last year. Revenue in the period nearly halved to 124 million pounds, it said. Aston Martin is targeting annual capex of 250 million pounds to 300 million pounds per year between 2021 and 2025. It envisages production volumes of about 10,000 units, revenues of about 2 billion pounds and adjusted core profit of 500 million pounds by financial years 2024 or 2025.

2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe unleashed with 503 hp [w/video]

The Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan is a truly fantastic car. The recently revealed Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is a seriously pretty two-door. Combine the two, and you get the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe that'll debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The AMG C63 Coupe takes everything we love about the sedan and puts it into the sleeker coupe body. It's equal parts aggression and elegance, and it's got the performance and luxury substance to back up both of those attributes. Under the hood is the same twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V8 as the C63 sedan, with two different states of tune. Standard C63 models get 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, while the C63 S ups those numbers to 503 and 516, respectively. Running to 60 miles per hour takes 3.9 seconds in the standard car or 3.8 seconds with the S, and the coupes are limited to either 155 or 180 miles per hour, depending on specification. Both versions of the C63 use Mercedes' AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic transmission. Inside, it's all C-Class Coupe, which is to say, it's lovely. Same goes for all of the ride and handling bits – there's no doubt in our mind that the C63 Coupe will be just as much fun as its four-door sibling on both road and track. We'll see the AMG C63 Coupe next month, but American deliveries won't start until the summer of 2016, hence the 2017 model year designation. We're licking our chops in anticipation. The sportiest C-Class ever Mercedes-AMG is setting another milestone in the brand's history: the new 2017 AMG C63 Coupe is the next step on the way to more technical and visual distinctiveness. The far-reaching technical modifications are evident at first sight: strikingly flared front and rear wheel arches, an increased track width and larger wheels give the C63 Coupe a muscular look while also providing a basis for highly agile longitudinal and lateral dynamics. The brand's typical "Driving Performance" is also taken to new heights with the C63 Coupe. The AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, with 469 hp in standard trim or 503 hp in the C63 S, is a completely in-house development from Affalterbach. In addition, the sophisticated AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers, the set-up of the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes, the rear-axle limited-slip differential and the dynamic engine mounts have all been developed by AMG. The C-Class is Mercedes-AMG's best-selling model and forms the backbone of the company's success.

10 most memorable cars and SUVs of 2019

It's no surprise that a car reviewer will drive a large number of cars over the course of a year. Indeed, when the clock strikes midnight on Dec 31, I will have driven 75 new cars, trucks and SUV this year (and one old Peugeot) over the course of weekly evaluation loans and first drive events. That sure seems like a lot. Some definitely got more attention than others, and some came and went without leaving much of an impression – I completely forgot I drove a Kia Forte. Yet in the spirit of this day, I thought I'd pick the 10 that I would love to see under the Christmas tree tomorrow morning. You know, just in case you were looking to get me something. I'll also throw in a couple disappointments that were memorable for the wrong reasons. They'd get sent back to the store on Boxing Day. Lexus LC 500 Pictured below and resplendent in its Flare Yellow metallic paint, the car that would reach highest on my list is the divine Lexus LC 500. As a devout lover of GT cars, the LC ticks all the boxes. Muscular and characterful engine? V8, check. Beautifully made and memorable interior? It's gorgeous, to hell with Remote Touch. Check. Comfortable and reasonably practical? Superb seats and, uh, yeah. Makes me want to stand there and stare at it? You bet. Though I long figured my heart would say LC but my head "Porsche 911," after this go-around, that's no longer the case. LC, pretty please. 2020-lexus-lc500-f34-2 View 19 Photos Polestar 1 I actually feel lucky that I got to drive the Polestar 1. Only 150 will be produced each year, and it's a far more special thing than it would initially appear. And that's despite initially appearing to be a beautiful, classic two-door GT car with a roof so rakish it's only possible because it's made of carbon fiber. That itÂ’s a massively powerful plug-in hybrid with more all-electric range than any other PHEV is a thick dollop of whipped cream on a slice of Toscakaka. You know, Swedish dessert, Swedish car. Fine, I'll stick to Ikea references.  Polestar1_Launch_SanFrancisco-0014 View 44 Photos Volvo V60 Cross Country Speaking of Sweden, did I drive this car off the road there? Sure did! And despite this, the V60 Cross Country scratches that certain wagon itch and looks sensational to boot. I wish it were available with the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, but it's best not to get greedy at Christmas.