Editorial

Frankfurt again, new concept cars from arch-rivals in the premier sector Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar. Big, genuine four-seaters, clothed in coupé body-work with innovative packaging details. What do they have in common - apart from a desire to create and then monopolise a new segment of the market? Whisper it quietly now – diesel engines. Yes, the march of the oil-burner has now reached the luxury concept-car and it says something for the market that only a couple of years ago these sorts of cars would have been equipped with at least a V8 if not V12 - with a couple of turbos to boot. No one would deny that modern diesels, produced by BMW, Mercedes et al make so much sense for every day driving, being powerful, quiet (at speed) and ridiculously economical. Indeed one is more likely to hear the dinner party bore drone on about how they got to Scotland and back on a thimbleful of fuel in the tank than their new car’s performance.

But is a diesel-powered luxury car a contradiction in terms? One cannot help a little head scratching seeing today’s young things cruising London in diesel CLKs and A4 Convertibles. Young, single and that hard up for a few litres of unleaded? Particularly considering the price premium charged – in the UK £2500 over the base 200 Kompressor for a 270CDI Mercedes-Benz CLK. The marketing men at Coventry and Stuttgart must know something about the market, it’s going to be interesting to see what else turns up.

Not much chance of Alfa Romeo going this way with their glorious styling project the 8c we previewed last week, although I can see an oil-powered Maserati Quattroporte having a relevance in the Italian business market. Stranger things have happened.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

7/8th October 2003 -
Auction Preview - H&H at Buxton

H&H’s next sale at historic Buxton, Derbyshire, in the heart of England’s Peak District has attracted some top quality vintage machinery in addition to the usual selection of pre and post-war classics. Not only do they have a 1929 Bentley 4.5 litre four seater tourer, £110,000 – 130,000, but they also have a 1924 Bentley 3/4.5 supercharged Van den Plas replica at £160,000 – 180,000, and, with a ‘Refer Dept’ pricetag, a 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Tourer...

read the complete article

Jaguar reveals all-new R-D6 concept at Frankfurt

Jaguar unveiled the R-D6 concept car at the Frankfurt show. The R-D6 concept signals a dynamic future for the Jaguar marque, true to its core values of providing sporting dynamic luxury...

read the complete article

Mercedes-Benz at the IAA 2003

The Mercedes presentation at the 60th Frankfurt Motor Show is a fitting occasion for two automobiles that set standards in both design and technology, thereby emphasising the role of Mercedes-Benz as the pacemaker and innovative leader among car brands: the SLR McLaren and Vision CLS...

read the complete article

SLR Mercedes McLaren -
from Brescia to Frankfurt

The city of Brescia in northern Italy, where the SLR legend began 48 years ago, was the starting point of a celebratory tour by the new Mercedes-Benz high-performance sports car to its premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The tour began in the famous Piazza della Vittoria in Brescia at approx. 4.00 p.m. and took in Affalterbach near Stuttgart, where Mercedes-AMG produces the SLR engine...

read the complete article

Ferrari at the Frankfurt IAA 2003

The 60th Frankfurt Motor Show comes at a particularly important moment for Ferrari both in terms of its sporting and commercial activities. The company is also enjoying a very solid economic position in what is proving to be a difficult period for the rest of the sector. In fact, its optimism regarding the future is embodied in the new 2+2 due to be unveiled in early 2004...

read the complete article

Goodwood Revival 5th Sept 2003 - Photo Gallery

There are too many sights and sounds at Goodwood during the Revival to take them all in. With the aid of Helmut Schnug, Classic Driver is able to show a full photo-gallery of the event including personalities, paddock shots and on-track action...

read the complete article

Advertisement
PREMIUM OFFERS

Ferrari F40

one owner from new Non cat Non Adjustable suspension car all original condition, accident free. Never tracked or raced. Dry stored for over 6 years.

Ferrari main dealer service history.

colour red
interior colour red with carbon trim
drive LHD
type Coupe
year 5/1990
mileage 27.300 km / 16.963 m
price 169.950 GBP
country United Kingdom





Vendor:

Oakfields

Homepage http://www.oakfields.com
Phone +44-(0)1256-760 256
Fax +44-(0)1256-762 415
E-mail sales@oakfields.com

see all details

Aston Martin DB7 Vantage

automatic, full history

Automatic, 5 speed, full history, Heated front screen, CD player, climate control,Drilled Pedals, Medium-Bore tailpipes One owner, supplied and serviced by ourselves from new.

colour Pentland Green
interior colour Forest Green piped in Parchment
drive RHD
type Coupe
year 1/2001
mileage 36.712 km / 22.812 m
Chassis No. SCFAB123X1K301037
Engine No. AM2/01037
price 69.995 GBP
country United Kingdom




Dealership:

Murray Motor Company
Bankhead Drive, Sighthill, Edinburgh, EH11 4DJ

Homepage http://www.jmgroup.co.uk/
Phone +44-(0)131-442 2800
Fax +44-(0)131-458 3296
E-mail murraymotorco@jmgroup.co.uk

see all details

Ferrari – Maserati days, Dijon-Prenois, France
19 – 21st September

Ollons-Villars Hillclimb, Switzerland
20 – 21st September

Coys Auction, Royal Horticultural Halls, London
2nd October

H&H Auction, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK
7th-8th October

The International Classic Motor Show, NEC, UK
8 – 9th November

see further event details

SERVICE

If you wish to be removed from future mailings,
please visit our ClassicInside Homepage at

http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/community/2300.asp