OIL CAPS: news briefs from the week

Aston Martin is promising “the fastest and most exhilarating example” of the Vantage series when it reveals the updated model. Spy shots, videos, and teaser images reveal that while the new Vantage maintains familiar proportions, it introduces significant updates, particularly at the front. The redesigned face features new fender-mounted headlights and a slightly smaller grille. The footage also shows restyled front fenders and extended rear wheelarches, indicating a more aggressive stance. Following the lead of the DB12, the interior is also expected to see major updates, including advanced tech features like next-generation Apple CarPlay.

Audi’s purpose-built RS Q e-tron racer has won the world’s toughest desert rally, the Dakar — a first for an electricdrive car. Mission accomplished, then: the RS Q e-tron was built as a rolling testbed especially for the race. The e-tron was piloted by double World Rally Champion, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (61), partnered with Lucas Cruz (49), a Spanish rally navigator and computer engineer. They completed 7900km and ultimately established a lead of 1h 20min. Second was Guillaume de Mevius (Toyota), followed by Sebastien Loeb (Prodrive). In the process of winning the 2024 event, Sainz broke his own record as the oldest Dakar winner.

Honda has recently expressed a bold critique of Chinese electric sedans, emphasising the need for deeper design innovation in the segment. It believes that while Chinese models have become more refined, they lack depth and are superficial. In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Daisuke Tsutamori, Honda’s e-mobility design division creative director, stressed the importance of simplicity in design. “In China, you have seen a lot of further refinement of that kind of styling. But it is very superficial. Refined but superficial,” he said. Honda wanted to come up with something that was simpler, more essential [with the Saloon EV].”