Latest news with #AstonMartin
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
The Factory-Trained Expert Who Earned His Reputation as Sydney's Best Aston Martin Mechanic
Luigi Pacelli's weathered hands move with surgical precision across the engine bay of a pristine Aston Martin DB9, his fingertips reading the mechanical symphony like a maestro conducting an orchestra. The Aston Martin workshop at European Galleria in Artarmon hums with the quiet intensity of craftsmanship, where three decades of factory training meet the exacting demands of Sydney's most discerning supercar owners. Here, beneath fluorescent lights that illuminate every bolt and bearing, Pacelli has built something rare in Australia's automotive landscape: a reputation that transcends the usual boundaries between independent workshops and authorised dealerships. The numbers tell a compelling story of excellence. European Galleria maintains a 5 rating from 54 verified reviews on Google, a testament to the precision that defines Pacelli's work. Since establishing his independent practice in 2012, he has serviced an impressive roster of European marques, including Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, McLaren, and Bentley. His workshop operates with factory diagnostic computers and OEM software, delivering what industry insiders describe as "dealership quality without dealership pricing." He is widely considered Sydney's best Aston Martin mechanic, for those looking for expertise without the OEM price tag. The Making of a Master Technician Pacelli's journey began with 20 years of factory roles at Ferrari and Maserati facilities, including direct training at Ferrari's legendary headquarters, where the company's formula and GT cars are designed and constructed. This factory pedigree distinguishes him from countless mechanics who learned their trade through trial and error. Customer testimonials consistently highlight this difference. One satisfied client observed, "He would have to be one of Australia's leading Ferrari and Maserati mechanics. Open, honest, genuine - everything you want when dealing in such a position." The transition from factory floors to independent practice represents more than a career change; it reflects a fundamental shift in how exotic car maintenance operates in Australia. Traditional dealership networks, while maintaining manufacturer relationships, often lack the personalised attention that defines boutique workshops. Pacelli's European Galleria bridges this gap, offering factory-level expertise within a more intimate setting where each vehicle receives individual attention rather than assembly-line treatment. Factory training provides advantages that extend beyond technical knowledge. Pacelli possesses access to diagnostic tooling typically exclusive to authorised dealers, including specialised equipment covering multiple generations of Italian supercars. This includes the SD1 for Ghibli and Quattroporte models, SD2 for 3200 and 4200 series, and SD3 for contemporary vehicles. Such equipment represents a significant investment, but enables the precise diagnosis of complex electronic systems that frustrate less-equipped workshops. Mastering the Temperamental Machines Pacelli's specialisation in Maserati Biturbos addresses one of the most challenging areas in exotic car maintenance. The Biturbo series, produced from the 1980s, suffered from notorious reliability issues, including engine overheating, electrical problems, and complex turbocharger systems. Many official Maserati dealers lack practical knowledge of Biturbo-era vehicles, limiting their capabilities to later Ferrari-sourced engine models. European Galleria's mastery of these temperamental machines positions Pacelli among the few specialists capable of properly maintaining and restoring these challenging vehicles. The Biturbo's twin-turbocharged V6 engine, revolutionary for its time, created a maintenance nightmare that defeated countless mechanics. Oil pressure issues, electrical malfunctions, and rust-prone body panels required intimate knowledge of Italian engineering philosophy. Pacelli's factory training provided this understanding, enabling him to diagnose problems that leave other technicians baffled. One customer noted: "Luigi is true to his word, salt of the earth kind of guy. Honest to a fault and able to pinpoint exact problems and find the most effective, cost-efficient solution. Cars that dealers cannot fix, he does for a tenth of the price." European Galleria's comprehensive service portfolio covers routine maintenance, driveline repairs, brakes and suspension work, engine diagnostics and rebuilds, performance tuning, and ancillary services including air conditioning repair and electrical fault-finding. All services emphasise genuine parts and factory-approved procedures, maintaining vehicle integrity while preserving resale values. This meticulous attention to authenticity distinguishes European Galleria from workshops that prioritise cost savings over correctness. Beyond mechanical services, European Galleria participates actively in Sydney's enthusiast community, organising events such as "Supercar Sundays" that include scenic drives and collaborations with car clubs like the Lamborghini Club. These activities, promoted through social media channels including Instagram with approximately 2,500 followers, reinforce the workshop's connection to Sydney's supercar scene. Such community engagement builds relationships that transcend simple commercial transactions, creating loyalty based on shared passion for automotive excellence. The workshop's success reflects broader changes within Australia's exotic car market. Ferrari's Australian presence began in 1952 when Bill 'Pappy' Lowe became the first Ferrari agent outside Europe, importing the first Ferrari 212 Inter berlinetta. Distribution evolved significantly in 2005 when Neville Crichton's Ateco Group acquired Australian and New Zealand rights for Ferrari and Maserati. However, Ferrari established direct control through Ferrari Australasia in 2013, aligning with global strategies to maintain closer customer relationships. Maserati's Australian journey started in 1960 with the first car imports. Through vehicles like the Maserati 250F, driven by Sir Jack Brabham and Chris Amon, Maserati plays a significant role in local motorsport. European Automotive Imports continues as a distributor under Ateco Group ownership, experiencing remarkable growth, with sales increasing 200% following the introduction of Quattroporte and Ghibli luxury sedans. European Galleria's business model addresses key challenges facing exotic car owners. Single-technician dependency creates vulnerability, but Pacelli's unmatched expertise justifies this risk. Limited opening hours from Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., reflect the boutique nature of operations while maintaining a focus on quality over quantity. The evolving automotive landscape, particularly electric vehicle adoption, presents future challenges requiring continued investment in training and equipment. Pacelli's reputation extends beyond technical competence to encompass integrity that defines exceptional service providers. Customer feedback consistently emphasises honesty, diagnostic skill, and reasonable pricing for high-end vehicles. This reputation, built over more than three decades, represents invaluable business capital that cannot be replicated through marketing or advertising. European Galleria successfully translates elite factory know-how into an artisan workshop model, earning loyal clientele among Sydney's supercar owners while maintaining standards that rival authorised dealerships.
Top Gear
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Le Mans Ultimate review: does this endurance racing sim have staying power?
Gaming Good chance of it, considering it's packed with the most exciting racing machinery operating anywhere in the world Skip 5 photos in the image carousel and continue reading It feels like every racing sim these days debuts in unfinished, so-called 'early access' form. It's not something many other types of purchase can get away with; you wouldn't take a date to a restaurant, pay for full meals and be happy with just starters. Though yes, we confess, it does sound like we've just described tapas. Le Mans Ultimate arrived in February of last year in Steam Early Access, and while it was absolutely unfinished at the time, it at the very least landed with plenty of content. The entire 2023 Le Mans field and all the circuits from that year's World Endurance Championship were included and since then the sim has been kept bang up to date with DLC packs introducing new cars and circuits to represent the 2024 and 25 seasons. Advertisement - Page continues below As of now, the base game is considered completed and this 1.0 update arrives in some style. For a start, it brings with it the outrageous Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR LMH, the race-spec version of Aston's hypercar, complete with its screaming V12. If you aren't aware, real-world sportscar racing is currently enjoying a golden era of manufacturer support, meaning Le Mans Ultimate features arguably the most exciting contemporary racing machinery operating anywhere in the world. Avert your eyes, Formula One. These cars, along with a field of the ever popular GT3 machines, have helped position Le Mans Ultimate as the only credible threat to iRacing ' s simracing stranglehold. Le Mans Ultimate was built on the rock-solid foundation of rFactor 2's physics engine, but it's been refined and elevated to offer the most convincing, communicative handling model in sim racing. Every time you spin off the circuit, it's embarrassingly obvious that it was 100 per cent your own fault. You might like It's a good job the game is so fundamentally satisfying to drive, because it's still lacking a career or championship mode to provide connective tissue between single player races. If the idea of venturing onto an online multiplayer server fills you with dread, you're stuck with just individual race weekends against AI drivers. A proper, in-depth career mode is apparently in development, but won't be arriving until next year. More tapas, anyone? The game has already been embraced by online racers, though, and this 1.0 version will finally support multiplayer driver swaps for longer online endurance races. These epic, multi-hour scheduled events popularised by iRacing are designed be tackled as a team and are the most involving and challenging experiences in simracing, to the point where even Max Verstappen can't resist competing in them even if it clashes with a F1 race weekend. Advertisement - Page continues below Back in February last year, we reckoned Le Mans Ultimate was worth a punt even in its Early Access form. This full release reassures us that we made the right call a year and a half ago. It's still structurally a slim offering for solo players, but the handling model is second to none, the selection of cars and circuits is excellent and the online competition is justifiably pulling people away from tending to their precious iRacing driver rating. Le Mans Ultimate is one of the few racing sims that might make you feel like a 24 hour race isn't long enough... Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Secretary heads to US and Canada to boost trade
The countries are among the most significant markets for Welsh exports. Goods and services worth more than £2 billion from Wales go to US and Canada each year, supports more than 50,000 Welsh jobs. The visit follows the signing of the UK's economic prosperity deal with the US in May. Car manufacturer Aston Martin, which has a base in St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan employing more than 600 people, resumed exporting to the US following the trade deal. As part of the trip Ms Stevens will visit Aston Martin's new showroom in New York. Also during the visit the Welsh Secretary will raise awareness of this December's Investment Summit in Wales, encouraging North American business leaders and investors to participate in the event. She will also meet Canadian businesses with an interest in Wales at a roundtable event in Toronto and attend a business breakfast with investors in sport real estate in the UK in New York. Ms Stevens said: 'There are strong and important economic and cultural ties between Wales and North America and it is fantastic to be able to promote these and help strengthen them further. 'I want to build on this progress and while I am in the USA and Canada I will be discussing further opportunities for investment in Wales with companies like Aston Martin. 'My message is very clear – Wales is open for business.' Deputy trade commissioner for North America, Alan Gogbashian, said: 'From sports economy firms to the automotive industry, Wales plays a key role in the UK economy, and has strong trade and investment ties with Canada and the United States. 'It's fantastic to host the Secretary of State for Wales in New York and Toronto to engage with current transatlantic businesses including Aston Martin, and to connect with potential investors ahead of the Investment Summit in Wales later this year.'
Top Gear
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Review 2025
You thought BMW was into big grilles? Just have a look at the faces of the current Aston Martin range. The new Vanquish Volante is an absolute stunner though, and everything about this open-topped, self-proclaimed 'Super GT' is big. The mouth itself is apparently 13 per cent bigger than the one on the previous DBS Superleggera Volante. That's to help with cooling, of course, but we reckon the designers didn't mind having to go large. There's also a 25mm wider rear track and an extra 80mm in the wheelbase compared to the old car. Heck, just look at the length of the carbon bonnet. Advertisement - Page continues below What's under that bonnet? Has Aston been downsizing? Absolutely not. Said bonnet hides a twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 that sends a terrifying 824bhp and 738lb ft of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed auto gearbox by ZF. Aston freely admits that it wants this car to be just a little bit scary, and it's got the proportions of a proper old school muscle car. Oh, and if for some reason you can't see the roof, you'll be able to tell the Volante apart thanks to its lower rear lip spoiler. The floating 'shield' is still there on the rear though and can be specced in myriad different ways. So, is it fast? Absolutely. The Volante may be saddled with an extra 95kg over the Vanquish coupe thanks to the roof mechanism and some extra body strengthening, but it's still alarmingly quick. That should be obvious with an on-paper 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds (one tenth slower than the coupe) and a top speed of 214mph. But it's the way it gets there that's so visceral, particularly if you spec the lightweight titanium exhaust option and spend 14-seconds dropping the neat 'K-fold' roof. Advertisement - Page continues below And it's not just straight-line speed either, the big Aston gets an e-diff on the rear axle and will go round corners too. Click through to the Driving tab of this review for all the detail. And it's not just straight-line speed either, the big Aston gets an e-diff on the rear axle and manages to shrink itself when things get twisty. This is a near two-tonne car so it's not the last word in steering feel, but it's got a sharp front end and drive modes that allow you to change its character. Click through to the Driving for a full debrief. Tell me more about that roof… Ah yes, that's why you're here isn't it? Aston has gone for a fabric top that can pop back up again at the touch of a button in just 16 seconds. You can operate it both ways at speeds of up to 31mph, and while stowed it sits at just 260mm tall so the rear deck can remain remarkably flat. It also has many layers of insulation, and Aston claims that it offers 'a level of thermal insulation directly comparable to Vanquish Coupe'. Blimey. How much does it cost? Prices should start at around £15k more than the Vanquish coupe, so you're looking at an entry price of around £345,000. Yikes. And you'd better ask the bank manager for even more than that, because the options list is endless and Aston says that over 70 per cent of Vanquish coupes sold so far have had some form of bespoke work carried out by its special Q department. You'll want to get in quick too, because Aston will only build 1,000 examples of the Vanquish each year, with the coupe and convertible both contributing to that overall number. It's probably worth noting that you will actually be saving yourself some cash if you go for the Vanquish over its main rival, though. That's the £366,500 Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider, which also features a whopping V12 engine but does without turbocharging. Your call. Failing that, the bargain bin option is the Bentley Continental GTC. Not something we ever imagined saying about a Bentley. Or a V8 hybrid with more power than a Le Mans Hypercar. But here we are. What's the verdict? ' It doesn't feel as though chopping the roof off has had an adverse effect on the ride and handling ' The Vanquish Volante's headline figures and muscle car looks might make you think that it'd only tell a bedtime horror story, but this is actually a car with a real breadth of ability. It'll sing you a nice lullaby too if you ask it nicely and stick with its softer GT mode. We're yet to drive it back-to-back with a coupe, but it doesn't feel as though chopping the roof off has had an adverse effect on the ride and handling, and it just means that booming V12 sound is even more accessible. Plus, even though it's a fabric roof you could still comfortably cross continents in this thing while still chatting to a passenger or making hands-free calls. Just remember to hang up when things get twisty, because with over 800bhp heading to the rear wheels, the Vanquish still has the ability to transform into a supercar that demands your full attention.
Motor 1
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Defies Logic: Review
It might be a mistake to look at the new Aston Martin Vanquish Volante too rationally. With a starting price of $489,700, it's crazy expensive both at face value and relative to Aston Martin's other cars—the excellent DB12 Volante is over $200,000 less. But why look at the Vanquish Volante rationally when you could just, well, look at it . Is there a better-looking convertible on sale today? Is there anything with quite such panache and presence? Is there anything with such an evocative name, with the performance and soundtrack to back it up? For my money, probably not. Quick Specs 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Engine Twin-Turbo 5.2-Liter V-12 Output 824 Horsepower / 738 Pound-Feet 0-60 MPH 3.3 Seconds Base Price / As-Tested $489,700 / $595,300 That's how Aston Martin hopes people will see the Vanquish Volante. We can't call it Aston Martin's flagship, as the company will soon launch the 1,000-plus-horsepower Valhalla hypercar. But the Vanquish is the pinnacle of the traditional Aston—a gorgeous, imposing grand tourer with a monster V-12 up front. This carbon-bodied car will be rare, too. Aston Martin will only make 1,000 examples per year, 400 of which will be open-top Volantes. It recasts the V-12 as something a lot more exclusive than it was before, something for those who want it badly enough to pay the enormous premium. There's nothing like a V-12. That high-pitched starter-motor sound that gives way to a flare of revs settling down into a smooth idle never fails to make you feel like a million bucks. Aston essentially redesigned its twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V-12 for the Vanquish, and the result is 824 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. Which is a lot. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Pros: Outrageous Speed, V-12 Soundtrack & Smoothness, Stunning Looks Aston Martin threw all of its technical know-how, a very advanced traction and stability control system, wide tires, and an electronic limited-slip differential at the problem, but 824 hp and 738 pound-feet of torque is a lot for two rear Pirellis. The first time you try to get the power down hard out of a slow corner, you realize just how much this V-12 has. Like the new Vantage, too, the Vanquish is pretty stiff at the rear, so it can feel skittish at times. Be measured with your throttle inputs, though, and the rewards are massive. This car is effortlessly fast. Shift around 4,000 rpm and you won't think you're doing much until you look down at the speedometer. Rev the V-12 out and then things get really exciting, with all sorts of pace and a hard-edged (if ever-so-slightly turbo-muted) soundtrack. As with the DB12 and Vantage, the Vanquish uses an eight-speed automatic transaxle at the back, and it shifts quickly and smoothly, though not as crisply as dual-clutch on downshifts. Simon Newton, Aston's head of vehicle dynamics, said that with its other new models, the company reduced the final-drive ratio to provide more in-gear punch. With the V-12, the Vanquish didn't need that tweaking. It's got plenty of punch, and that taller final drive gives it the classic striding GT car feel. At 2,000 rpm in 8th, you'll be doing 97 mph; at 3,000, you'll be doing 145 mph. To use a technical term, the Vanquish Volante has legs. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Cons: Firm Low-Speed Ride, Too-Familiar Interior, So Expensive It's not power without finesse either. Aston developed a new feature called 'Boost Reserve' that juggles the throttle opening and wastegates to keep the turbos spooled up when you lift the accelerator. You can actually hear the turbos whistling away on the overrun with the top down, and the feature works amazingly well. There's no perceptible lag from behind the wheel. The Vanquish Volante isn't just an engine with some car attached, either. The chassis is a wonderful thing on its own. This is a big, heavy car, but it doesn't drive like it. And not in an artificial way, with rear-wheel steering or active anti-roll bars trying to compensate for the size—just very good spring and damper tuning. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Being a convertible, there's a bit of cowl shake over rough surfaces, and in general, the low-speed ride can be firm, but the dampers do a wonderful job of rounding off any hard edges. And as you build up speed, the car seems to free up a bit, flowing with the road beautifully. There are three damper settings, but frankly, I see no need to switch them from their softest 'GT' mode, which provides the right amount of control and compliance. Aston Martin has also done a great job with the steering, too. It's heavy, yet in a natural way, with weight building in concert with load increasing on the front tires. And while the Vanquish has a super-sharp front end, with a rear that follows very quickly, the steering is never nervous. Unlike in a Ferrari, where you really have to be measured with your inputs, the Vanquish feels intuitive. When you're not engaging in a bit of grand touring, the Vanquish Volante is perfectly usable as an everyday car. Roof up, it's admirably quiet, and while you're always conscious of the size, it's not unwieldy. There's also no low splitter to scrape, and the visibility is quite good for a car like this. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 The interior is lovely, trimmed with rich-smelling leather everywhere you look. Although it doesn't look or feel that different from the cabin of a DB12 or Vantage. Those cars have lovely interiors, too, but for the extra $200,000-plus, there isn't much that sets the Vanquish apart. Still, Aston has smartly integrated a lot of physical knobs and buttons that feel wonderful and increase ease-of-use, and Apple CarPlay Ultra integration makes all infotainment functions a cinch. Though note that it's only as good as your phone—you'll need a relatively new iPhone for it to work at its best, and if your phone overheats in the wireless charger, you're out of luck. It would be an extravagant car to daily drive, of course, but with that V-12 constantly humming along, it would be a hell of a lot of fun too. Just don't expect to fit much in the trunk, especially with the top down. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Really, the choice between coupe and Volante is a matter of personal preference. I don't think the drop-top looks quite as good as the coupe, but it's still one of the most beautiful, striking cars on sale today. And while there are some dynamic compromises from losing the roof, they're hardly great enough to spoil the car. Park the Vanquish Volante next to a DB12, and it doesn't make a ton of sense. But just look at it. Listen to it. Drive it. Say the words 'Aston Martin Vanquish Volante.' Suddenly, it makes all the sense in the world. More on Aston Martin 2026 Aston Martin Vantage S Revealed: More Power, But Softer Suspension We Tested Apple CarPlay Ultra. It's Great—But There's a Catch Competitor Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider Gallery: 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Review Aston Martin Make: Aston Martin Model: URL: Aston Martin 46 Source: Chris Perkins / Motor1 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Engine Twin-Turbocharged 5.2-Liter V-12 Output 824 Horsepower / 738 Pound-Feet Transmission Eight-Speed Automatic Rear Transaxle Drive Type Rear-Wheel Drive Speed 0-60 MPH 3.3 Seconds Maximum speed 214 Miles Per Hour Weight 4,421 Pounds Seating Capacity 2 Cargo Volume 9.15 Cubic Feet Base Price $489,700 As-Tested Price $595,300 On Sale Now Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
