Automotive experts, HPI has revealed the Top 13 list of eerily named vehicles following a poll amongst its team of motoring editors.

Automotive experts, HPI has revealed the Top 13 list of eerily named vehicles following a poll amongst its team of motoring editors.

Tim Bearder at HPI said: “With Halloween just around the corner we thought it would be fun to look at some of the scary names car manufacturers give to their models.  Getting the name of a car right is really important for manufacturers so that it appeals to consumers and sells well.  

Maybe with some of the models we came up with the manufacturers were hoping to scare up a bit of business by giving their cars a menacing but memorable name.

“The HPI team has compiled some outlandish and wonderfully terrifying named vehicles over the years ranging from obscure concept cars, supercars and high value models to more mainstream cars.”

The Top 13 list of eerily named cars polled by HPI is:

1) Rolls-Royce Phantom  

2) AMC Gremlin

3) Pontiac Banshee

4) Hillman Imp

5) Lamborghini Diablo

6) Alfa Romeo Spider

7) Plymouth Prowler

8) Ford Probe

9) Spectre R42

10) Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

11) Rolls-Royce Wraith

12) DF Goblin

13) Lamborghini Murcielago (Murcielago is Spanish for ‘bat’)

Added Tim Bearder: “Whether born of attempts to sound genuinely scary or to simply stand out from the crowd, car manufactures have a long history of concocting car names that sound dark and scary. There also a tendency to name cars after animals and these are generally based on predatory beasts.”

The sale of James Bond’s Aston Martin will provide vital funds to Médecins Sans Frontières and it raised......

• The sale of James Bond’s Aston Martin will provide vital funds to Médecins Sans Frontières
• The Live Auction raised the incredible total of £2,785,500.

The highly coveted and incredibly rare Aston Martin DB10 made for the latest James Bond film, Spectre, went under the auctioneer’s gavel at Christie’s in London last night.  The bidding was tense and exciting before a final bid of an amazing £2,434,500.

The buyer now owns a true piece of automotive history; the only Aston Martin DB10 to be made available for public sale. Celebrating the great British brand’s half century with Bond, which started with the iconic DB5, the DB10 gives a glimpse of the future design direction for the next generation of Aston Martins. Production of the DB10 was strictly limited to 10 models of the bespoke sports car which was developed and hand-built by the designers, engineers and artisan craftspeople at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters in the UK for the latest Bond film, Spectre.

Eight of the DB10’s were modified for filming, but two of those produced were kept back as show cars for display purposes only and the DB10 auctioned is one of them.

The money raised by the auction of the Aston Martin DB10 will benefit Médecins Sans Frontières.  MSF - or ‘Doctors without Borders’ – is a global humanitarian aid organisation that provides medical care and support to victims of armed conflict, epidemics and other disasters.

Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer. “The DB10 is one of the rarest cars ever created. Only 10 will ever be made and this is the only one that will be made available for sale. It’s great to see this DB10 raising vital funds for Médecins Sans Frontières, it is a fantastic charity that we are delighted to support”.

 ‘James Bond Spectre – The Live Auction’, was a unique collection of 10 lots, a further 14 are available in the online sale, which continues until 23 February, celebrating the release of the 24th Bond film on Digital HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD.

The awesome James Bond Aston DB10 is going under the hammer for Médecins Sans Frontières.

• The only DB10 to date to be made available for private ownership
• Opportunity to own a piece of automotive history
• To  be auctioned on February 18^th to raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières

The Aston Martin DB10 – the first car created exclusively for James Bond by British luxury brand Aston Martin – is to go under the auctioneer’s gavel at the London auction house of Christie’s on 18th February with proceeds donated to Médecins Sans Frontières.

‘Spectre – The Auction’ celebrates the release of the 24th Bond film on Digital HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD with 24 special auction lots going under the hammer for charity, led by the Aston Martin DB10.

Celebrating the great British brand’s half century with Bond, which started with the iconic DB5, the DB10 gives a glimpse of the future design direction for the next generation of Aston Martins. Production of the DB10 was strictly limited to ten examples of the bespoke sports car which was developed and hand-built by the designers, engineers and artisan craftspeople at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters in the UK for the latest Bond film, Spectre.

The DB10 to be auctioned, is the only car to date in the rarest DB lineage to be made available for private ownership. It is also the first ever Aston Martin to receive a platinum award from the Aston Martin Works Assured Provenance scheme. The Assured Provenance process is the first official authentication programme to be provided in-house by Aston Martin. 

Drawing on the unrivalled knowledge of a committee of authoritative Aston Martin experts, the pioneering Assured Provenance certification programme is administered and run by the brand’s world-renowned in-house heritage car facility – Aston Martin Works.

As part of the painstaking procedure of examination and authentication, the DB10 has undergone a digital scan which has been verified and held in a secure archive for future reference.

The DB10 features a 4.7-litre V8 petrol engine and six-speed manual gearbox. It has an estimated top speed of around 190 mph.  The car features an all carbon fibre exterior, while the interior has been painstakingly handmade using fine luxury leathers, carbon fibre and aluminium.

Most of the DB10s were modified for use in the filming of Spectre, but the DB10 offered at Christie’s is one of only two “show” cars, which were left unmodified and used for display purposes. This DB10 took pride of place at the world premiere of Spectre at the Royal Albert Hall in London and has been signed by James Bond himself, Daniel Craig. The auction will take place on 18th February at Christie’s King Street auction house in London.

Aston Martin has installed three stunning cars, The DB5, DB10 and DB9 GT in Harrods window for all to dream over.

As the Christmas displays disappear, shoppers in London’s Knightsbridge are to be treated to the sight of a very special Aston Martin window display in Harrods, the world’s most famous luxury department store.

Three stunning Aston Martin sports cars will take over the iconic Harrods storefront in a month-long celebration of the British marques’ ‘DB’ nameplate. 

Since their debut in the early 1950s, the ‘DB’ models offered by Aston Martin – named after Sir David Brown who bought Aston Martin in 1947 – have been synonymous with sophisticated grand touring and thrilling sports car performance.

Taking pride of place is the Aston Martin DB10, the car that was built specifically for James Bond. 

Aston Martin has been associated with the James Bond franchise for over 50 years, with the DB10 exclusively designed, engineered and hand crafted for the latest Bond film, Spectre. Bond fans will get another chance to enjoy Spectre with the Blu-ray™ and DVD release on 22 February.

Also on display, the DB9 GT – the luxury British sports car maker’s most compelling production ‘DB’ to date. Designed to offer the best of what DB9 can be, this new model delivers world-class grand touring and hand-built excellence.

Finally, the Aston Martin DB5, arguably the most famous ‘DB’ of them all is also on display. Revealed in 1963, the car set the benchmark for all the DBs that followed, with its iconic design language and substantial improvements in performance.

Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said: “Harrods is one of the world’s most trusted luxury brands and we are delighted to join forces with them to create this rather unique display in tribute to our most famous nameplate.”

Specialists from Aston Martin headquarters will be available throughout the exhibition, providing visitors with an opportunity to discover more about the Aston Martin product range and the brand’s recently launched AM37 yacht, created in partnership with Quintessence Yachts. Both the window display and exhibition area will remain in place until 28 January.

The Stunningly amazing jaguar C-X75 Supercar from "Spectre" to go on display at Autosport International.

• Visitors to Autosport International this January will be able to get close to one of the cars from the 24^thJames Bond adventure SPECTRE
• Two Jaguar C-X75s, driven on screen by villain Hinx (played by Dave Bautista), will be on display at the NEC. One of which will be in the Live Action Arena
• Specially-prepared for SPECTRE, the C-X75 was provided by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations in collaboration with development partner Williams Advanced Engineering
• A second static car will join a host of Williams’ most significant Formula One cars at the Williams Martini Racing motorhome, situated next to the revamped Autosport Stage
• Autosport International takes place between 14-17 January* and tickets are selling fast at www.autosportinternational.com

This January the Jaguar C-X75 from SPECTRE will make an appearance at Autosport International. SPECTRE, the 24th James Bond film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, sees the Jaguar C-X75 driven by Hinx in one of the movie’s iconic high speed car chases.

Two cars used in filming will be present at the NEC from 14-17 January. A demonstration of one of the specially-prepared stunt cars will take place in the Live Action Arena. A must see for any movie or car enthusiast.

For a more detailed view, a second static car – one of the ‘hero’ models used for close-ups in SPECTRE – will be on display at the Williams stage area, another of the star attractions at Autosport International 2016.

The C-X75 was provided by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations in collaboration with development partner Williams Advanced Engineering, the division of Williams that transfers technology from Formula One to other market sectors.

The C-X75 for SPECTRE is just one of many high-profile projects that Williams Advanced Engineering has worked on and visitors to the show will be able to learn all about this exciting division and every other part of the Williams story, thanks to a unique celebration of the famous British racing team at Autosport International2016.

The focal point will be a revamped Autosport Stage, which will feature the eight-metre-tall Williams Martini Racing motorhome constructed immediately next to it – the first time it has been erected outside of a racing circuit.

Eight of Williams’ most historically-significant Formula One cars will be on show, including the FW18 which Damon Hill OBE drove to the 1996 Drivers’ Championship title. Hill will be present at Autosport International, celebrating the 20^th anniversary of this victory. He will be joined by many other famous faces from Williams.

Mike O’Driscoll, CEO of Williams said: “Collaborating with Jaguar on the project has been a great experience and is something the Williams Advanced Engineering team is extremely proud of. It shows just how incredibly diverse our skills are at Grove. It was fantastic to share the C-X75 with people all over the world inSPECTRE - but now we’re really excited to bring the cars closer to home at Autosport International, where we’ll have these slices of movie history lined up alongside some of our most important Formula One cars.”

Anthony Rowlinson, Group Editor, Motorsport at Haymarket Media Group, said: “The Jaguar C-X75 looks incredible in SPECTRE, but it really is one of the cars you need to see in the flesh to fully appreciate. Both inside and out it’s a masterpiece in design, showcasing what a great job Jaguar and Williams Advanced Engineering did with preparing these cars for the big screen. It’ll be fantastic to see and hear the C-X75 in the Live Action Arena.”

Ian France, Autosport International show director, said: "To have one of the genuine Jaguar C-X75 cars fromSPECTRE on display at Autosport International is incredible enough, but to have another performing in the Live Action Arena is real treat. To see and hear one of the James Bond franchise's most incredible stunt cars that we saw recently on the silver screen is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

L.A. Show - Actress, Naomie Harris unveils the new Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet ahead of LA Show début.

• Land Rover showcases new Range Rover Evoque Convertible in Santa Monica beachside shoot with Bond star Naomie Harris
• Sneak preview of the brand’s first ever luxury compact convertible SUV ahead of its official world debut at Los Angeles Auto Show
• Exclusive images from acclaimed fashion photographer Ben Watts
• Newest member of Range Rover family
• Combines bold design and refinement of the Range Rover Evoque with sophisticated folding roof to create a versatile, all-season convertible SUV
• Range Rover further solidifies Los Angeles as top selling market with new vehicle launch

Land Rover has unveiled its first luxury compact convertible SUV along the iconic coastline of Los Angeles in Santa Monica, CA. SPECTRE actress Naomie Harris was one of the first to view the newest member of the Range Rover family, as it was revealed for the first time ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Following the recent global release of SPECTRE, the 24^th James Bond adventure, which features vehicles produced by the Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations division, Harris joined the brand to receive an exclusive first look at the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible as it debuted in the US. 

Marrying luxury with an elegant four-seat convertible design, versatile storage and unrivalled capability both on and off-road, the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible combines the bold design and refinement of the Range Rover Evoque with a sophisticated folding roof to create a versatile, all-season convertible SUV.

Harris, who in her role as Moneypenny has been paired with Land Rover vehicles including the iconic Defender (Skyfall) and more recently the Discovery Sport (SPECTRE) said

“I was so impressed by the design of this car; it’s like nothing I’ve seen on the road before and is so sleek! I love the fact that it is just as much at home driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in LA, as it is off-road in the British Countryside”.

In celebration of the world debut of the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, full-size wireframe sculptures of the newest Range Rover model will be on display in West Hollywood at Le Zinque from Nov 16-17 and on the Santa Monica Pier from Nov 18-20.

More than 450,000 Range Rover Evoques have been produced globally since its introduction in 2011 making the premium compact SUV the fastest-selling Land Rover of all time. This sales success has been accompanied by critical acclaim, as the Range Rover Evoque has also won more than 165 international awards since launch.

Aston Martin Premieres DB10: Built for Bond at Blenheim Palace, in a setting with dozens of Astons.

• 50 Aston Martins form multi-million pound drive-in-screening
• DB10 and DB5 featured in Spectre take pride of place
• Premiere of specially commissioned one hour feature documentary

An impressive line-up of current and classic Aston Martins gathered in the Great Court at Blenheim Palace on Sunday 8 November for the premiere of DB10: Built for Bond.

The specially commissioned one hour documentary follows the creation of DB10, a model developed specifically for James Bond in Spectre, built in-house by the luxury brand’s design and engineering teams in just six months.

Created by FIN London, the documentary was filmed over an 18-month period, with over 120 hours of material captured in ultra-high definition 4K.

The film features interviews with the Aston Martin team responsible for creating the DB10. Spectre Producer Michael G. Wilson, Director Sam Mendes and actor Daniel Craig share their thoughts on the collaboration with Aston Martin. Special Effects Supervisor Chris Corbould, Stunt Coordinator Gary Powell and stunt driver Mark Higgins also discuss their experiences with DB10.

Guests enjoyed a reception in the opulent Great Hall at Blenheim Palace, and a Q&A session with Mark Higgins, before returning to their Aston Martins to watch the film.

The exclusive sports car celebrates Aston Martin’s half century association with James Bond, which started with the iconic DB5 in the 1964 film Goldfinger. Just ten examples of the DB10 were built, with all surviving the rigours of filming.

Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said: “I’m delighted to finally share DB10: Built for Bond. Since the car was unveiled at Pinewood Studios in December 2014 we have been overwhelmed by the positive response around the world. The film highlights the skill, care and attention to detail that goes into every Aston Martin.

“I’m extremely proud of the team who have brought the DB10 from concept to reality and feel confident that we have created a sports car that epitomises Bond.”

Spectre, the 24^th James Bond film and the 12^th to feature an Aston Martin is on general release in cinemas now.