Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/573382
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2015 42 Motoring Could James Bond go green? ASTON Martin are known for making some of the most beauti- ful and powerful cars around, but they're not famed for their fuel efficiency. The company's looking to change that soon, with plans to release a completely electric car based on the petrol-powered As- ton Martin Rapide Sedan at some point in the next two years. Speaking to Automotive News, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palm- er said that emissions and fuel economy legislation means that the company could soon find it- self having to make less powerful cars to meet standards - some- thing Aston and its customers don't want to see. However, if they produce a zero-emissions car, they'll also be able to work on their tradi- tional offerings. As Palmer says: "If you want to keep making V-12 engines, then you've got to do something at the opposite end of the spectrum." There's no specifics yet, but the CEO told Automotive News that the company was looking at an all-wheel drive, 800 horsepower car with a 200 mile range. That's a challenge to Tesla, who currently lead in the high-end electric car market. However, Aston Martin look likely to go even higher. Palmer didn't give anything away about the price when speak- ing to the publication, but hinted it would be in the $200,000 to $250,000 range. Bentley rebuilt from parts scattered around man's home could sell for £800,000 A 1928 Bentley reassembled after its dismantled parts were found scattered throughout a three-sto- rey house and gardens is expected to sell for as much as £1 million. The parts of the 4.5 litre, art-deco styled vehicle were concealed un- der beds, in oil-filled glass jars and under a tarpaulin in the owner's west London home. The car, just one of eight ever made, was acquired by Stuart Wal- lace, an English teacher, when he was a student in 1962. His daughter Bea Wallace-Hart- stone called in experts to see if the car could be reassembled follow- ing his death. William Medcalf, head of the Medcalf collection, toured the property scouring for parts until eventually he and his 12 experts had found nearly every original component. Medcalf subsequently struck a deal with Wallace-Hartsone, agreeing to buy the parts from the family. While similar reassembled speci- mens have sold for £800,000, the firm is tight-lipped about how much they paid for the parts or what they expect to make at auc- tion. A source said: "You can't put a price on passion, someone will pay whatever it is worth to them." Not one new nut or bolt has been used, with just a handful of non- original wooden supports added to strengthen the chassis. Aston Martin plans to release an electric car in the next two years The latest James Bond - Daniel Craig - in fan favourite movie Skyfall. Also in shot: the trademark Aston Martin