By Robert Emslie
This has got to be the most ingenious factory camouflage ever devised. I mean, I almost didn’t notice that this was one of Marenello’s finest.
Image source: Imgur
Latest
Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Project Cars, DIY, Travel, Adventure, Podcast, Videos
Jeff Glucker
Looks like Aston Martin wasn't the only exotic car company to turn to Toyota for all their mandatory average fleet emissions needs…
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/FC2TKeS.jpg">
I saw one of these. Thought it was a joke, thought some nerd/douchebag had rebadged a Smart model I didn't recognize. But the quality looked too nice for that, so it had to be a *rich* nerd/douchebag.
Then I got on line and saw that it was real.
/insert Crying Indian gif
That's pretty much how I felt initially too, but I've come to think about it a bit differently more recently. Aston Martin had to face compliance with across-the-board EU mandated average fleet emissions standards. Instead of wasting time and engineering effort on developing something of their own, they borrowed an already existing car, slapped a grille and badge on it, brought the interior up to their standards, and called it good.
They found a loophole which allows them to keep building awesome shit with impunity. That makes this little abomination pretty awesome actually.
Yeah, that makes sense. But that was the only Aston Martin I saw on this trip to Los Angeles, so it was quite the bummer.
The previous trip had included Newport Beach, where I stopped counting 911s at something like 25 (in less than ten minutes), where I saw two R8s and eight Lambos, where the highlight of the trip was when a Zagato pulled up next to my minivan at a light.
This particular trip, I saw a two Ferrari Californias, a Testarossa and the Cygnet. Boo.
As unexciting as the vehicle is… considering the low production numbers (less than 5000 per year) and I believe it's not available in the U.S. yet, (if ever) it's a pretty rare and unique siting. For what that's worth…
There was one in Santa Monica last August. Registered in Mexico, maybe? Maybe somebody like Krebs back at that other place–he of the Mexican Focus RS.
Whoops–I said Zagato above, but meant Vanquish.
They should give you one when you buy a real Aston. Nice not to have to demean yourself with the shop loaners while yours is in for routine servicing.
…which makes it kinda like a modern-day renault 5 Baccara:
http://ranwhenparked.net/2012/10/07/sunday-classi…
<img src="http://ranwhenparkeddotnet.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/renault-5-baccara-2.jpg" width="600">
And here's a shot of it after it inevitably caught on fire, like all Ferraris.
<img src="http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/0/0e/Dryer-Fire-Appliance-Repair-Palmdale-CA.jpg/249px-Dryer-Fire-Appliance-Repair-Palmdale-CA.jpg">
And it's a hybrid.
Clearly a LaFarrari test mule.
That would actually be a level of genius on par with the Transit XJ220.
The Ferrari FU?
Sorry about your penis, man.
People putting badges on their cars to try to make other people think that it's something that it's not is stupid. I mean, who really believes that this is a hybrid?
Might fool a cop in some situations.
Or a meter maid.
It's strange though. It actually looks classier with that simple change.
Probably would have gotten further with a Maserati badge…
What is this I can't even
<img src="http://oi50.tinypic.com/b7fn2q.jpg"/>
<img src="http://oi50.tinypic.com/b7fn2q.jpg"/>
<img src="http://oi50.tinypic.com/b7fn2q.jpg"/>
…ahh. I feel better now.
I was all like, "That's not a Ferrari!" Then I saw the license plate frame and, yeah, I gotta admit it must be Ferrari.
Wow… a Ferrari that will go 200k miles without 6 new engines! That is real progress, friends.
you have too many zeros there.
Hey, that means my wife's Highlander Hybrid has KERS!
Wow, I know where that is. It's at the High Five, the intersection of US75 (Central Expressway) and I-635 (LBJ Freeway) in North Dallas. They're on the ramp from southbound Central to LBJ:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=dallas,+tx&hl=e…
I'm glad I'm not the only one that looks at photos like this and looks to see if I recognize the intersection/street.
I first noticed the pillars with the stars, then the 75 sign and the hotels, then the black building in the background. Been through there a zillion times.
"Thats not unintended acceleration. Its the Ferrari spirit training you for Formula." – Luca De Montezemolo
Looks like Ferrari finally has a sedan that can appeal to the average driver.
Hey, it's almost as fast as some of the legendary Ferraris of the 60s and 70s…