With the car transferring power to the ground through a single-clutch mid-rear transaxle, the Vanquish doesn't cycle through gear ratios with quite as much impact as a car with a dual-clutch automatic manual transmission, the Ferrari V12, for instance, which also enjoys a 165-hp advantage.

WSJ: 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Review: No, Mr. Bond, I Expect You to

Imagine barreling through the Amazonian rainforest with machetes flailing from the windows of your off-road rig, and just as you're about to kick the vehicle into low gear, you pause to consider the impact of your vehicle's exhaust (among other things) on the delicate ecosystem around.

ENGADGET: MotoCzysz aims to refashion TAC Motors' Stark into an eco-friendly off-roader

Electric vehicles are shifting into high gear, from prototypes and concept cars to vehicles that can have a meaningful impact on reducing greenhouse gasses and slowing the environmental impact of global warming.

FORBES: The Plugged-In Prince

For decades, the export of electronic waste from the United States and Europe to Asia has raised concerns about the impact on local environments and the low-paid workers who dismantle toxic-laden computers and other gear to recover valuable metals and parts.

FORBES: IBM Opens China's First Factory To Refurbish Old Computers, Tapping A $2 Billion Market