On the contrary, that level of “you’ve probably never heard of it” would drive sales even higher.

You mean the bespoke engine that was based on the contemporary Jaguar AJ-V8? Not since the pre-Ford V8 has Aston had a proper “bespoke” engine; the V12 was Duratec-based, and the DB7's supercharged six was a destroked Jag six.

You would’ve hated the Saab H-engines, which weren’t even horizontal, just slant-fours.

You’re probably thinking of the Esprit and its flat-plane crank V8 vs. the more typical cross-plane crank V8 that the Mustang and the 928 had. That’s not so much American vs. English as race-bred vs. everything else.

I think it was James May who noted that electric power would be perfect for Rolls-Royce because it’s both torquey and quiet, attributes which are perfect for heavy luxo-barges. Interesting to see Mercedes pick up that challenge first.

Tiff Needell loves it. What bigger endorsement do you need?

The hint is in their name, after alles.

I know I’ve seen that face before:

A lawyer named “Robberson”? Even Dan Brown wouldn’t use a name that clumsy.

Rule 0:34

At least until Brexit.

1. Don’t take it in too quickly. Pace yourself.

Yeeeees?

My mechanic hates working on those, and he’s a Jaguar specialist.

I hope they make the final product out of fiberglass.

charmingly shitty

Thank you, someone else who gets it! (you mean problem with the 2nd gen, right?) Going from a naturally aspirated Mk2 to a Spyder was a revelation in terms of nimbleness.

I dunno, IMO the Spyder and the facelifted NC Miata push the happy grin too far. Then again I just got a first-gen Jag XKR with serious angry face, but that one is at least done well.