2007 Aston Martin Vantage V8 on 2040-cars

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Autoblog Podcast #402

Episode #402 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, and Brandon Turkus talk about the Audi A3 TDI Challenge and luxury car features we not-so-secretly love. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #402: The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics: Audi A3 TDI road trip Luxury features we're sort of ashamed we love In The Autoblog Garage: 2014 Land Rover LR4 2015 Aston Martin Vanquish 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Hosts: Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, Brandon Turkus Runtime: 01:17:40 Rundown: Intro & Garage - 00:00 Audi A3 TDI Challenge - 42:51 Luxury Features We Love - 01:00:05 Q&A - 01:09:17 Get the podcast: [UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream [iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes [RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Feedback: Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Podcasts Aston Martin Audi Dodge Land Rover Diesel Vehicles Luxury Performance aston martin vanquish

Jay Leno, Ex-Stig test Aston Martin's latest cars

Aston Martin is on a roll right now. From unveiling its latest V12-powered hypercar codenamed the AM-RB 001 to building one-off convertibles of hardcore track toys, the automaker has really hit its stride. With cars like the DB11 and V12 Vantage S, Aston is also working on reinventing its road cars. Jay Leno, because he's Jay Leno, was lucky enough to test both cars at Willow Springs, and he invited former Stig Ben Collins to have some fun. In this clip from Jay Leno's Garage, the comedian gets a design overview of the DB 11 and then talks to Collins about his racing career, working on Top Gear, and doing Hollywood stunt driving. The pair plays a little James Bond chase on the track, with Collins in the V12 Vantage S and Leno in the DB11. Jay isn't exactly working all of the 600 hp from the twin-turbocharged, 5.2-liter V12, as it's a prototype. Meanwhile, Collins is hot-dogging the V12 Vantage S, with its anachronistic naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 and seven-speed manual transmission, behind him. Although the driving pace isn't quite matched, when two remarkable cars get together, everyone wins. Related Video:

Castrol Nexcel is an oil change in a box

Oil changes are a vital part of car ownership. For some this simple bit of maintenance gives them a sense of accomplishment and a closer connection to their car. Others just find it a hassle. Castrol might have a compromise with new tech called the Nexcel that packages the oil and filter into a single, easily removable container. The company claims switching the unit out takes just 90 seconds. Instead of draining the oil for a regular change, the whole Nexcel is replaced each time. Castrol then retrieves the used containers and recycles the fluids inside into other lubricants. The exclusive cadre of ultra-wealthy buyers for the track-only Aston Martin Vulcan get to be the first ones to find out if the Nexcel lives up to the hype. And don't worry, the container can reportedly stand up to the hypercar's punishment. According to Castrol, the Nexcel has been tested to perform at up to 1.8G and can flow as much as 158.5 gallons of oil a minute. The tech also allows Castrol to create specific oil blends to match to different engines. "Today, you can't guarantee the right oil will be used, so the degree to which oils can be tailored is limited. Nexcel is different and can go further. The oil cell enables a concept we call precision lubrication," a spokesperson said to Autoblog. Assuming the Nexcel is a success, Castrol estimates that it could arrive in the first road car in about five years. The company already claims to be in discussions with "several" automakers about potentially implementing the tech. While changes would be far quicker, some enthusiasts might balk at the idea of being locked into oil from just a single brand, though. CASTROL REINVENTS OIL CHANGE WITH NEXCEL: THE REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES OIL CHANGES QUICK, SMART AND SIMPLE The Nexcel oil cell, an easy-to-change unit containing both engine oil and filter delivers superior engine performance and improved environmental sustainability The new technology allows your oil to be changed in around 90 seconds, more than 13 times faster than a conventional oil change of 20 minutes The Aston Martin Vulcan track-only supercar will be the first vehicle featuring Nexcel technology LONDON, Thursday 8th October 2015 – Today, Castrol launches Nexcel, a new revolutionary technology that marks the most significant oil change innovation in automotive history.