Because of testing bans in place this season in F1

Ferrari just announced that injured driver Felipe Massa could be back in the saddle as early as Monday. Massa hasn't been in an F1 car since July's Hungarian Grand Prix, when a spring from another car flew up and hit him above his eye, fracturing his skull.

The first time he has even been back on track was last week when he took the wheel of a kart. Because of testing bans in place this season in F1, Massa can't drive the current car he was running until Hungary. As he gets back up to speed, the FIA has granted him permission to drive a 2007-spec car fitted with GP2 tires.

Massa has also spent time on Ferrari's racing simulator. Word has it he's already mastered Barcelona and is working hard at beating the Interlagos circuit now. Before taking the wheel of the 2007 car, he still needs to pass an examination, but once he's cleared, he could be on track in Italy by Monday. This will be testing only as the driver isn't expected to compete for Ferrari any more this season.

Aston Martin Vantage

The Aston Martin Vantage 6-liter V12 engine makes 517 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and it only comes with a 6-speed manual. The V8 and V12 Vantages are rear-wheel drive with the engine mounted under the hood, just behind the front axle.

Performance is more than respectable in the V8 coupe and roadster, with a top speed of 175 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. The V12, of course, goes a bit further, to a maximum of 190 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds -- nearly a full second faster over the V8 model. The V12 also upgrades its brakes to the carbon ceramic variety.

All Vantages have anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic braking, electronic brake assist, tire pressure monitoring, and dynamic stability control. DSC in the V12 includes track mode for a stiffer, more responsive ride during performance driving. The Vantage also features what Aston Martin calls the "Emotion Control Unit", which starts the car when a special key fob is pushed into a slot on the dash.

Aston Martin One-77 to make 750-hp

Aston Martin today confirmed that the 2011 Aston Martin One-77 will be powered by a 7.3L V12 engine making a certified 750-hp and a maximum torque of 553 lb-ft.

Click here for more news on the Aston Martin One-77.

“The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project,” said Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive of Aston Martin. “Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of.”

Deliveries of the Aston Martin One-77 are scheduled to begin in early 2011.

Follow the jump for the press release and the fourth part of the One-77 film series.

Refresher: Power for the Aston Martin One-77 comes from a 7.3L V12 producing more than 750-hp and a peak torque of 553 lb-ft. The engine is mated to a new 6-speed gearbox that allows the One-77 to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of over 200 mph. Only 77 units of the One-77 will be made.

Aston Martin One-77 – New Specs

Aston Martin One-77 definitive sports car, one that epitomises everything Aston Martin from technology, the hand-craftsmanship of the hand rolled aluminium panels to the attention to detail.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive of Aston Martin said “The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project,” and “Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of.”

Some beautiful detailed One-77 exterior, on the side mirror mounts molded into the door shells and close-ups of the wraparound jewel-like tail light. Aston points out that the Gaydon-built One-77 is subject to the same thorough development programme as the rest of the range.

Chris Porritt, One-77 Programme Manager said, “We wanted to create something that wows you as much when you see what’s under the skin as the exterior styling itself. We started by identifying the most technologically exciting front-engined, rear-wheel drive cars in the world: those from the DTM race series. We then applied the principles and technology that feature heavily in their design and translated it to a road car application.”

debut for Range Rover’s new leaner, greener flagship SUV

Range Rover is taking a leaf out of Lotus’ book and adding lightness to its new flagship off-roader to dramatically improve fuel efficiency. The next generation of Range Rover is due to arrive this time in 2012, and will feature all-alloy construction for the first time.

The aluminium chassis will draw on Jaguar’s experience when building the current XJ. However, Land Rover’s engineers have done so much work to reinforce the car’s underpinnings and monocoque bodyshell that the firm calls it a separate platform. The chassis will also underpin the next Range Rover Sport, which currently uses the Discovery's mechanicals.

The Range Rover will become the world’s first all-alloy off-roader, ensuring that the newcomer stays ahead of the pack. The firm is targeting a weight cut of over 400kg, taking the kerbweight closer to 2,100kg.

As you can see from this engineering prototype, the newcomer’s wheelbase doesn’t change much from the current model. The finished car will feature a slightly longer set of dimensions in both the wheelbase and track, to liberate extra room inside.

And while the current car’s interior is among the best available on any luxury vehicle, the next Range Rover will feature a more spacious cabin, particularly in the rear, and a hike in quality of materials, fit and finish.

Designed by Gerry McGovern, the new Range Rover will feature the clamshell bonnet, floating roof and jewel-like lights of the current car, albeit with a lower roof and rounder front end to improved aerodynamics.

Engines will begin with improved TDV6 and TDV8 diesels which get stop-start for the first time, mated to an improved eight-speed auto gearbox. Petrol units will follow shortly after launch, followed by a diesel-electric hybrid.

Off-road performance will still be exemplary, with the latest generation of the firm’s Terrain Response system controlling the power delivery to keep you going whatever the landscape throws at you.

Company offers aftermarket brake override for Toyotas

With all the news reports about issues with unintended acceleration in Toyotas in recent months, it was only a matter of time before an aftermarket company stepped up with a purported solution. Santa Barbara-based Solutions Group Inc. is now marketing a device called the Decelerator, which they claim provides a brake override to prevent the car from taking off on the driver.

We spoke with Sean O'Neil, the CEO of the Solutions Group, to learn more about the Decelerator. The device is another box of electronics that can intercept and modify signals to the engine throttle body from the electronic control unit (ECU). Installation is straightforward. The wiring harness from the ECU to the throttle body is unplugged and connected to device, which is then plugged into the ECU. A second connector goes to the brake pedal switch. The brake pedal input provides the 5 volts needed to power the Decelerator.

Inside the Decelerator is a micro-controller and some firmware that sits idle until the brake pedal is pressed. While the brake is off, there's no power and the pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal to the throttle body is simply passed through unmodified. Read on to find out what happens after the brake is applied.

Audi Reveals A1 S-Line Sport Package

Just like the BMW Group did with its MINI-branded cars, Audi is planning to offer an amazing amount of customization options and packages for its new entry-level A1 model including the S-Line sport kit which is expected to be one of the most popular options amongst buyers.

Seen here for the first time in official photos, the S-Line kit comprises of two separate packages. The S-Line Exterior package sweetens up the A1's looks with chiseled sill tops, a larger roof spoiler, a more concave front bumper with side air-vents and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and matte optics.

The second kit is called S-Line Sport Package and it adds 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport suspension with dynamic suspension tuning, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and sport seats.

And no, none of the available packages offer any performance upgrades for the four engines (two petrols with 86HP and 122HP, and two diesels with 90HP and 105HP) and that will be available at the A1's launch. For more details on the A1 check out our previous stories by clicking here and here.