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The Aston Martin Cygnet Video

Admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:27:50 +0000

Filmed in Hong Kong, the Aston Martin Cygnet in action in its natural environment, the city.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato, production confirmed

Admin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:30:42 +0000

The V12 Zagato is based on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, but features fresh bodywork penned by the namesake Italian design house. The car celebrates of fifty years of collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato, dating back to the original DB4 GT.

[Source: Aston Martin via Autocar]

Aston Martin V12 Zagato heads to the race track

Admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:16:46 +0000

Right from the start, Aston announced that the V12 Zagato would be hitting the race track in no less rigorous a test than Germany’s Nürburgring. And so it will, starting this weekend and returning in tandem next month for a second outing. But before it does, Aston’s released these images of the car.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Aston Martin unwraps new V12 Zagato en route to Villa d’Este

Admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:31:22 +0000

Just over a week ago we brought you initial news of the collaboration in the making, retracing half a century of collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato with a new project based on the V12 Vantage. Now fully revealed, the design blends some familiar queues with fresh lines. Zagato’s signature double-bubble roof (initially adopted to offer extra headroom for a racer’s helmet) is there, while the grille recalls that of the classic DB4 GT from which this car draws its inspiration. The flank recalls the taut muscularity of the Vanquish, punctuated by a large vent from which protrude a silver dash and the Zagato logo. The tail-light treatment is similar to that of the Ferrari FF’s, sitting above a large rear diffuser assembly.

All in all it cuts a striking profile rendered in aluminum, jointly penned by Zagato and Aston’s own design department. Its deep shade of orange (similar to the Lamborghini Aventador show car) compliments the baby blue of the V12 Vantage RS concept that previewed the car on which it’s based to recall the iconic Gulf livery which the marque revived in its racing program.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Official: Aston Martin unveil Zagato at Villa d’Este

Admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:27:47 +0000

The first such venture started some 50 years ago with the eminently desirable and highly coveted DB4 GT, continuing through the V8 Vantage Zagato (based on the ’80s-era muscle machine as opposed to the contemporary compact GT) and on to the DB7 Zagato and DB-AR1 of the last decade. Now the two are teaming up once again for a new coachbuilt special set to debut at Italy’s upcoming Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, where it will share the sunshine with Pininfarina’s new custom Ferrari and what promises to be a staggering array of mechanical works of art.

Aston Martin launching new V12 Vantage GT3 to replace DBRS9

Admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:15:54 +0000

The new Vantage GT3 packs a competition version of the dry-sump 6.0-liter V12 from the road car, mated to an Xtrac paddle-shift gearbox and race-honed ABS and traction control. Although exact specifications have yet to be finalized, Aston hopes to get the engine up to 600 horsepower and weight down to 1250 kg (2,755 pounds) by the time the car makes its debut in July, with ten customer cars set to be completed by the start of next season to gradually replace the 26 examples of the DBRS9 built to date. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Aston Martin]

First Drive: 2012 Aston Martin Virage

Admin — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:49:28 +0000

Few automakers sell sexy as well as Aston Martin.

Others may try, but competition demands they back up their stellar good looks with performance – oh, the burden. Take Ferrari and Lamborghini, the two Italians, as an example. Their sensual bodywork drops jaws at one hundred yards, but they also have to shoehorn in uber-powerful engines or else consumers will cry foul. Audi is another example. The German’s luscious R8 was just that, but needed a V10 to truly stand proud. It seems that consumers simply won’t tolerate sleek bodywork unless there’s performance to substantiate it.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Aston Martin seems to have escaped the wrath. None of its models offer the most powerful engine in their class, or the best performance. We don’t need to tell you that Astons aren’t the best at anything. Well, except looking, smelling and feeling damn sexy.

Times are changing. Customers are demanding more substance behind the style, more bang for their buck and innovative, modern technology. Seeming to acknowledge that life is much more than a beauty contest, Aston Martin has introduced the all-new Virage Coupe and Virage Volante.

Source: AutoBlog

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S First Drive

Admin — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 12:03:01 +0000

Nestled in a secluded valley in the south of Spain is the Ascari Race Resort. Celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful tracks, the private 3.2-mile ribbon of perfectly smooth blacktop challenges drivers with 26 corners, 10-degree climbs and 18-degree banks as it weaves through the mature oak trees that dot the landscape. Named after Alberto Ascari, the first double world Formula 1 champion, the well-manicured decade-old venue is the type of circuit enthusiasts fantasize about.

Our private shuttle takes us through the manned guard gate towards the main clubhouse. As we round the corner, and head down the shallow hill, the sun reflects off something in the distance. Parked in the paddock are a dozen glistening sports cars – some coupes, some roadsters – each still dripping wet from the overnight shower that leaves the air fresh and crisp. The vehicles, the latest offering from Aston Martin, are the enthusiast-targeted Vantage S Coupe and Roadster.

Nine times zones from home with jet lag extinguished by a morning café grande, I figure it is time to get behind the wheel. Only one thing is more enjoyable than driving the new Aston Martin Vantage S through the mountains of Spain – spending a long afternoon with the sports cars on the wide-open Ascari race circuit.

Source: AutoBlog

Aston Martin Vantage S is music to our ears

Admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:46:30 +0000

Not to step on John Stewart’s toes or anything, but it’s now time for your moment of Zen. After seeing yesterday’s smoking-hot photos of the first production Singer 911, we thought this week just couldn’t get any better. We’re happy to tell you that we were completely wrong. The good people of Motor Authority have been so kind as to slip the web a taste of the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage S courtesy of a lengthy, high-definition slice of B-roll.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Aston Martin confirms Lagonda relaunch with high-end SUVs

Admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:57:57 +0000

The joint company only sporadically used the Lagonda name over the course of subsequent decades, building the Lagonda Rapide in the early 60s, the knife-edged Aston Martin Lagonda sedan in the 70s and 80s, a series of sedans built on Aston Martin underpinnings in the 70s and again in the late 90s, and a couple of concept cars here and there. The Lagonda Vignale concept bowed at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show, and two years ago, the crossover concept above was unveiled to largely negative reviews at the same show.

Rather than badge-engineering a version of the Aston Martin Rapide, Autocar suggests that Lagonda will target emerging markets like Russia and China with a range of luxury crossovers. The reported £100-300k ($160-480k) price spread will put it far above even fully-spec’ed out versions of the Porsche Cayenne and Land Rover Range Rover. Underpinnings could be borrowed from Mercedes-Benz, particularly if plans for AML to produce the next generation of Maybach luxury cruisers go through.

[Source: Autocar]