FAB WHEELS DIGEST (F.W.D.): July 2018

A customer requested the carmaker's customization arm, Q by Aston Martin — Commission, insert a 4.7-liter V8 from the last-gen Vantage S into the Cygnet's engine bay. The grafting job, dressed in Buckinghamshire Green, weighs 1,375 kilograms or 3,025 pounds with fluids, and posts a power-to-weight ratio of 284 hp-per-ton in U.S. parlance, 313 bhp/tonne in UK units.

Aston Martin engineers shortened the intake system to keep the Cygnet's standard hood unmolested. The motor blows out the other end through a twin, centrally-mounted exhaust at the end of very short pipes. Other components carried over from the Vantage S include the front and rear subframes, suspension, most of the braking system, and seven-speed Sportshift II transmission.

The Q department welded in a roll cage, occupants sit in fixed Recaro buckets with four-point harnesses, the driver grips a removable, Alcantara-covered steering wheel, there are leather pull straps on carbon door panels, a steel fuel tank fills the cargo area, and an FIA-compliant fire extinguisher system keeps things cool if the temperature gets too hot. Should the V8 Cygnet pretend to its city car origins, there's a Vantage instrument cluster, air conditioning, and two USB ports.

The original Cygnet, based on the Scion iQ and out of production since 2013, got from 0-60 miles per hour in about 11 seconds. The V8 Cygnet does that in 4.2, and taps out at 170 mph — 60 mph past the standard Cygnet's top speed. (autoblog.com)

Aston Martin Cygnet (2011-13)

(Photos from autoblog.com, autoexpress.co.uk, autoevolution.com & carscoops.com)

Nissan and Italdesign have created a new prototype vehicle - the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign - in their first-ever collaboration. Based on a production 2018 Nissan GT-R NISMO model, the unique car commemorates the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R and Italdesign. Italdesign developed, engineered and built the car. The distinctive, crisp exterior and interior designs were created by the teams at Nissan Design Europe in London and Nissan Design America.

Starting at the front, the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign features a distinct golden inner element that stretches across almost the full width of the vehicle. The hood has a more pronounced power bulge, and the thin LED headlights stretch from the wheel arch to the lip above the outer cooling intakes.

The distinctive roofline has been lowered by 54mm and features a lower center section, while the slightly raised outer portions give the roof profile a muscular look.The signature GT-R "samurai blade" cooling outlets behind the front wheels have gained more prominence with a gold inlay and extends from the bottom of the doors to the shoulder line. The rear highlights the car's wide track with taut, muscular flares around the wheels. The rear window line descends longer and deeper than on the standard car.

The GT-R's twin round taillights have been reimagined as a separate "floating" feature with thin light rings and hollow centers. A large, adjustable rear wing, mounted with two uprights, completes the overall look. Custom Michelin Pilot Super Sport wheels - 21 x 10 inches in front and 21 x 10.5 inches at the rear. The exterior is finished in Liquid Kinetic Gray paint with distinctive Energetic Sigma Gold anniversary accents.

Inside the Nissan GT-R50, two different carbon fiber finishes are extensively used across the center console, instrument panel and door linings, along with black Alcantara and fine black Italian leather on the seats. Gold accents echo the exterior treatment across the instrument panel, doors and the futuristic race car-inspired switchgear.

Drawing on Nissan's GT3 racing experience, the NISMO organization enhanced the hand-assembled 3.8-liter V6 VR38DETT engine to produce an estimated 720ps and 780 Nm of torque. (ultimatecarpage.com)

The good news is that stunning Nissan GT-R50 designed by Nissan and Italdesign won't just be a fancy one-off concept. The companies are prepared to build 50 units of the sports car, provided it's received well at its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The bad news of course is that there will only be 50 examples of this amazing car. While a top-rung 2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo starts at $177,185, the GT-R50 will cost an estimated 900,000 euros. At current exchange rates, that's about $1,060,000. (autoblog.com)

2019 Nissan GT-R50

The ultra-exclusive GT-R50 will be limited to strictly 50 cars. Nissan is already accepting orders from deep-pocketed buyers and will start customer deliveries in 2019. Converting a GT-R Nismo to the R50 specification will take some time, which is why deliveries will continue through 2020. (motor1.com)