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The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera leads this month's list of discounts

The average price of a new car in America last year was $35,932. This month, the biggest discount off the retail price of a new car in America is awfully close to that figure at $34,001. For those keeping track (as we do every month with a post like this one), that's by far the largest discount we've seen so far this year, and it means buyers of the 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera are paying an average transaction price of $273,819. The British automaker calls the DBS "the ultimate production Aston Martin." With a 715-horsepower V12 engine pulsating underhood, sufficient to push this grand touring coupe from 0-60 in a skosh over 3 seconds and on to a top speed of 211 miles per hour, who are we to argue? If that's too rich for your blood — and let's be honest, it's still a whole heck of a lotta money — the next biggest discount might be at least a little more attractive. According to data provided by TrueCar, buyers of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT are seeing discounts of $23,103 off the car's average sticker price of $159,995. That's a heck of a lot of car for $136,892, though admittedly still expensive. But at 14.4% off retail, it's a better deal than the $132,122 average transaction price of the 2020 BMW M8. The BMW's $16,497 discount equals 11.1% off the M8's $148,619 sticker. For a look at the best new car deals in America based on the percentage discount off their suggested asking prices, check out our monthly recap here. And when you're ready to buy, click here for the Autoblog Smart Buy program, which brings you a hassle-free buying experience with over 9,000 Certified Dealers nationwide. Featured Gallery Aston Martin DBS Superleggera View 33 Photos Aston Martin BMW Mercedes-Benz Car Buying Convertible Coupe Luxury Performance Supercars consumer car values biggest discount

2015 MV Agusta F4 RC superbike debuts with AMG livery

MV Agusta, the Italian motorcycle maker with 37 Constructors Championship trophies earned in Grand Prix racing, returned to the World Superbike Championship for the 2014 season. With one annual campaign under its belt, it has released the customer version of its racing superbike, the F4 RR. The street-legal version will come in two power levels depending on the exhaust: either 205.5 horsepower with the standard exhaust, or 212 hp with the 4-2-1-2 Termignoni race exhaust. At 386 pounds dry, the RC is about 33 pounds lighter than the World Superbike entrant, but it's still heavier than the competition from Aprilia, BMW, and Ducati. It is, though, a little more powerful than all of them in its full-fat guise. Compared to the RR, MV Agusta made changes to the RC that include a new cylinder head, crankshaft, and camshaft, larger fuel injectors and lighter pistons, a lithium-ion battery, and magnesium casings. Titanium connecting bolts affix a carbon fiber fairing done up in the AMG livery of the World Superbike ride. If you want one, act quickly and come strong: only 250 will be produced, at $46,000 a pop. If you're not that keen, there's a high-res gallery above. Featured Gallery 2015 MV Agusta F4 RC View 26 Photos News Source: Asphalt and Rubber Mercedes-Benz Motorcycle Luxury Special and Limited Editions Performance world superbike mv agusta f4

How long will the 'golden age' of performance last?

High-powered sports and luxury cars were everywhere at the New York Auto Show, prompting the obvious question for enthusiasts: How long will this golden age of performance last? Industry leaders have some time before regulations elevate the Corporate Average Fuel Economy level in 2025. Even then, they expect cars rippling with power to survive in some form. "Is it the end of an era," I don't think so," said Ola Kallenius, Daimler AG board member for Mercedes-Benz cars marketing and sales. "That performance element of individual mobility I don't think will ever go away." Kallenius, who oversaw the company's AMG division from 2010-2013, expects it to continue to grow. Last year, AMG sold a record 68,875 units around the world, an increase of 44.6 percent over 2014, with strong growth in the US, China, and Germany. Still, there's always the potential for gas to spike, and pending fuel economy regulations are looming. That could lead AMG to add electrification to its products, Kallenius said, pointing to the electric SLS as a test case. Chevy is also thinking ahead, said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer of the Camaro. He wouldn't bite when asked about electrification for the Camaro (he did say "never say never"), but admitted in 2025 "it's going to be pretty tough to sell V8s." For now, things are rosy for muscle cars, and Chevy confidently showcased the 640-hp Camaro ZL1 in coupe and convertible form in New York. "I think that this is truly the golden age of performance," Oppenheiser said. It's hard to disagree. News & Analysis News: The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF was a show-stopper in New York. Analysis: There was a palpable energy when this RF — for Retractable Fastback — was revealed the night before the show at a trendy off-site venue near the Hudson River. Even as a parade of SUVs and flashy luxury cars rolled out the rest of the week, the Miata remained a hot topic. The Retractable Fastback is really a clever targa top, with part of the roof stowing behind the seats, adding about 100 pounds compared to the standard convertible. It makes the car more practical and arguably more attractive. The RF continues Mazda's tradition of selling the Miata with a hardtop variant. The first and second generations offered a detachable one, and a power retractable hardtop (a $1,700 option) was available on third-gen models. Judging by its reception in New York, the RF could prove to be even more popular than its predecessors.