A hell of a lot rides on the new Aston Martin DBX, the first model to be built in the British manufacturer’s new St. Athan plant in Wales. Aston Martin’s precarious financial situation is no secret, nor its belief that the new £158,000 super-SUV is the key to changing its fortunes. Why else do you think the DBX was revealed in China, the world’s biggest automotive market and a country in which Aston clearly hopes its Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus rival will excel?
It’s a blisteringly cold winter’s day on the rural outskirts of Paris and despite the generous width of the Porsche 910’s rear tyres and the cautiously confident right foot of its expert pilot, the ultralight prototype’s relentless quest for purchase is proving fruitless.
There’s a distinct split between the pre-War and classic cars offered by Wannenes at its forthcoming automotive sale and the fascinating selection of ‘youngtimers’. It’s the latter that’s tugged on our heartstrings – just check out the ice-cool Maserati BiTurbo S from 1986, which might have the best interior we’ve ever seen. Whatever happened to the combination of sculpted velour and ruched leather?
Naturally, bidders are encouraged to do their due diligence beforehand, but there are certainly some bargains to be had at Historics Auctioneers’ Mercedes-Benz World Sale on 23 November. Just take the two-owner 2008 Maserati Quattroporte, the fully loaded Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG that cost over £90,000 in 2003 and the opulent Black Sapphire 2001 Bentley Arnage T, all of which have attached pre-sale estimates of below £25,000.