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Aston Martin DBX flies on two wings in wild Mansory treatment

Subtlety, thy name is most definitely not Mansory. The German tuner has revealed its latest subject, an Aston Martin DBX outfitted with the company's signature gaudiness. If you can look past the visual assault, however, the car is notable for being the first tuned DBX. Mansory modified the Aston's AMG-built twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine with a new ECU, bigger turbos, and reworked exhaust. That transforms the already powerful DBX from a 542-horsepower 516-pound-foot SUV into an 800-horse, 738-pound-foot behemoth. A shield-shaped badge reads "Mansory P800 Performance" just in case you have any doubts about its output, but nowhere is this alphanumeric sequence mentioned in its press materials. Mansory claims a 0-62 time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. Brakes and wheels are not discussed either. The firm also claims that many of the aerodynamic changes are necessary to keep the DBX grounded as it reaches supercar speeds. Those include a widebody kit with pronounced fender vents, a front fascia that offers more openings than the Washington Generals, and the rear diffuser gives customers the choice of two placements for the dual exhaust. One places the tailpipes on opposite sides of the rear fascia, and one puts them side by side in the center. Many of these bits, including the side skirts, are made of forged carbon. We know it's supposed to be lightweight, modern and expensive, but we can't help but think they end up looking like the basic granite countertop in a Zillow flipper. You also may have noticed that the Mansory DBX has not one, but two elaborate rear wings. Each is made of forged carbon, and each also looks like a Klingon ritual battle weapon. You can have the Mansory DBX in any color you want as long as it's black with lime green. While the DBX's exterior isn't overly saturated in textmarker grun, the same cannot be said for its cabin. There, a dizzying pattern of chartreuse AM grilles on the seats, door panels and center console give life to the nightmare scenario of being trapped inside a Magic Eye poster. If you really have a jones for a faster DBX, may we recommend that you wait for the upcoming V12, which will likely retain Aston Martin's traditionally elegant styling. The DBX may have saved Aston Martin from financial ruin, but let's not ruin the DBX.

Aston Martin reportedly cancels electric RapidE amid money troubles

Aston Martin's first production-bound electric car won't be based on the Rapide after all, according to a recent report. The British firm allegedly canceled the RapidE project after several costly delays. British magazine Autocar learned from a source close to Aston Martin that it has consigned the sedan to the automotive attic to focus on ramping up production of the DBX, its first SUV. It's a hugely important model that will make or break the company's 2020 balance sheet. Other seemingly random projects like the ACH130 helicopter co-developed with Airbus are much less distracting because there's little substance to them; it's essentially just a nice interior and an eye-catching paint job. The RapidE, however, was a new car under a familiar body. Presented as "a truly historic step" that would pelt Aston into the world of electrification, it snubbed the Rapide's 6.0-liter V12 and instead offered drivers an electric powertrain with 610 horsepower and a 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The firm quoted a 200-mile driving range, which is on par with the Porsche Taycan's EPA rating, and a 4-second sprint to 60 mph, which is about as quick as a gasoline-burning Rapide. Development work began in 2015 with the help of LeEco, a Chinese tech giant-turned-electric car manufacturer founded by Jia Yueting, the man behind Faraday Future. Aston Martin chose to finish funding the project on its own after money trouble forced LeEco out. Williams Advanced Engineering provided its expertise, but Aston Martin had to foot the bill on its own, so the RapidE went from a low-volume model to a limited-edition sedan. Aston Martin planned to make 155 examples of the RapidE in a new facility located in St. Athan, Wales. Each one carried a price tag reading "on application," which is automaker-speak for "really expensive," and one was spoken for by James Bond. We reached out to the company to verify Autocar's report, but were told they couldn't comment on future product speculation. There's no word yet on what this means for the other electric cars Aston has in the pipeline, including two luxury sedans previewed by concepts and intended to revive the dormant Lagonda name in the early 2020s. Featured Gallery Aston Martin Rapide E:Auto Shanghai 2019 View 11 Photos Green Aston Martin Electric Sedan

Here's what Top Gear thinks of the Aston Martin Vulcan

With a limited run of just 24 units, the Aston Martin Vulcan isn't an easy vehicle to get your hands on. Even if you find one, the next challenge is locating a suitable track to drive it because these rare beasts aren't street legal. Top Gear (the website, not the TV show) arranged both and reported on the amazing experience of driving this rare hypercar in must-read story. Top Gear lapped the Vulcan around the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit and came away thoroughly impressed. The author admits that the McLaren P1 GTR has a greater output, but driving the Aston Martin is still an incredibly visceral experience. Downshifts judder through the chassis, flames shoot from the side pipes, and the 820-horsepower V12 screams. "Five laps and I'm spent – I start to get a headache, I need to drink, sweat gathers, ears ring," the writer says. The Vulcan trains its handful of wealthy owners to be racers, but the interior still cossets them in Aston Martin's traditional luxury. As they learn the car, drivers can turn the power up from 550 hp, 675 hp, and to the full 820 hp when they feel ready. The suspension is also fully adjustable. So there's a touch of understeer out of the box, but a person can mitigate that as they gain experience. Plus, the writer claims the cabin fit and finish is marvelous. Head over to Top Gear to get the full story, it's well worth a read. Related Video: