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Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and Koenigsegg Lego sets coming this summer

Lego has announced a slew of new automotive-themed sets. As is typical fashion for brand of building toys, the subject matter leans toward ultra-exotic, ultra-expensive vehicles, ranging from a $139,000 Mercedes SL63 on the low end to a $3 million Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut on the high end. If you can't afford those cars in real life, soon you'll be able to build your own plastic models of them. Some of the real-world counterparts aren't obtainable no matter what the cost. Take the Lamborghini Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo, for example. The one-off concept was designed by Lamborghini exclusively for Gran Turismo, the PlayStation racing simulator. However, Lamborghini did build a 1:1 version for the physical world, with the 808-horsepoewer hybrid V12 from the Sian FKP 37 beneath its bodywork. The Lego version is part of the company's Speed Champions line, which measure about 6 inches long. It does an excellent job of capturing the original's insectoid look and Y-shaped taillights. The set is made up of 230 pieces and will retail for $26.99. This is Lego's first Vision Gran Turismo car but we hope to see more.  Also joining the Speed Champions line are two 2-car sets. An Aston Martin-themed set pairs a Vantage safety car with an AMR23 Formula 1 racer. Both are finished in AMR's bright green with actual sponsor logos. The set contains 564 pieces and will cost $44.99. Also arriving as a 2-car set are a pair of Mercedes-AMGs. A black G 63 and yellow SL 63 Roadster, along with a pair of sunglasses-clad bros, make up the 808-piece set. It also retails for $44.99. All three Speed Champions sets arrive on June 1, 2024. If you're looking for something a bit more advanced and detailed, Lego also offers the Technic line. First up is a Porsche GT4 e-Performance, a 1,000-horsepower race car based on the 718 Cayman. This set can also function as a remote controlled car that moves forward, backward, and steers via a downloadable smartphone app. The 834-piece set costs $169.99. Last but not least, there's the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, a model of the Swedish supercar that is said to have a top speed of over 300 mph. The model does an admirable job of capturing the car's 0.278 Cd drag coefficient, considering it's comprised of 801 individual plastic bricks. This set will retail for $49.99 and, along with the Porsche, comes out August 1, 2024. Related Video LEGO Speed Champion Build: 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback

2015 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S by Q not for the faint of heart or thin of wallet

In 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin brought along a Virage Volante that had been fully decked-out by its then-new Q extravagant customization team. Q, in addition to offering a limitless world of options to dandy car-shoppers, seemed then to tacitly offer a slightly stronger connection with everyone's favorite super-spy, James Bond. Remember when just driving an Aston was cool enough? Apparently, cool or no, the base version of the already sumptuous Aston Martin V12 Vantage S simply won't slake the thirst for opulence that some buyers suffer maddeningly from. Here then, the 2015 V12 Vantage S by Q, a car described by the manufacturer as being "a unique and ultimately luxurious Vanquish for the most demanding, and discerning, of customers." "Picky" might be another way to say it... We kid. In all honestly, the latest Q car is hard to find fault with, no matter how foppish we might believe its eventual owners to be. The triple-tone colorway of Orange, Stratus While and a Jet Black roof is certain to grab attention, while the interior fitted in True Teal and Californian Poppy leather is almost guaranteed to please even the most rabid Miami Dolphins fan. The dream of the Q service doesn't stop with custom colors and expensive trims, we must add. Aston reminds us in the press release below that the dream-makers were also responsible for the creation of the fabulous CC100 Speedster Concept. If your motive longings have even a hint of Britishness to them – or if you just want to feel a bit more like 007 – you now know whom to call. Q BY ASTON MARTIN: MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE - Service offers the ultimate in bespoke commissions and personalization - The tailored approach to luxury car making from Aston Martin - Made-to-measure service that promises a unique sports car Aston Martin arrives at the 84th Geneva International Motor Show with its most compelling bespoke sports car creations to date, courtesy of its increasingly popular tailor-made personalisation service: Q by Aston Martin. The great British sports car brand is showcasing the capabilities of its bespoke service in Switzerland, as more and more of its customers around the world are turning to the facility to make their Aston Martin a truly unique creation.

Aston Martin to raise funds for new models including CUV, hybrid

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer named three leads for new vehicle programs when he took the reins, now the company is looking for the money to give those leads something to do. Reuters reports that the Gaydon firm is considering debt or equity financing to raise 100 to 150 million pounds ($156M to $234M US) in funding for "an expansion from the current model range," according to an unnamed source. On top of that investment round, Aston Martin is overhauling its working capital streams to unlock more funds. As one of the industry's few remaining independent carmakers, the company has an intense five years ahead of it, working to revamp its current vehicles with a 500-million-pound investment, entering new segments to grow sales to roughly 10,000 units annually from 4,200 cars in 2013, and pay down hundreds of millions of pounds in current debt. The big high notes observers will be looking for over the next few years are the successor to the DB9, pegged for 2016, profitability predicted in 2017, a huge debt note due in 2018, and the formal end of the recovery period in 2020. Our own eyes will be locked on the DB10 in Spectre, naturally, and the Lagonda-honoring Taraf in other markets, hopefully. At least one of the new vehicles is expected to be a crossover, a segment Aston seemingly cannot ignore now that Bentley and Rolls-Royce are committed to making plays there. However, Reuters says an official announcement of what we can expect won't come until the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Among the other models said to be up for funding? Sedans (perhaps including a Rapide replacement?) and an unspecified hybrid.