Aston Martin Valhalla Inches Closer To Full Scale Production
Aston enters key phase with Valhalla development as the company begins final validation testing.
Aston enters key phase with Valhalla development as the company begins final validation testing.
It can be hard to believe that the Aston Martin Vantage has been in production for over 74 years. While the model has certainly seen its fair share of ups and downs (some of them reflecting Aston Martin‘s shifting fortunes) the Vantage has always been the most popular model that the British sports car maker sells. Aston has chosen to make some key updates to the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage as it prepares to enter a new sports car era. Vantage, A Blend of Old & New The exterior styling of the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage is a mixture …
The Aston Martin Vantage is poised for a big change. The British sports car maker recently confirmed that the Vantage was going to be overhauled but didn’t reveal much info on when we would see it in the flesh. But that’s now changing, with the company not only confirming that it would be unveiled on February 12th, but also supplying a lone teaser image as a sample dish. A Sign Of Things To Come For Vantage The lone teaser image Aston sent primarily focuses on one of the front fenders with the vent work taking center stage. The vents …
It has been a long journey for the Aston Martin Valhalla with the company first unveiling it back in 2019 as the AM-RB 003. Alot has changed since that time with a pandemic and Aston’s very survival during that time taking center stage. However, the company has kept pushing forward with the Valhalla and the company has released new details about the car while also confirming that it will be entering production next year. Valhalla Sharpens Its Performance Sword With V8 Power The Valhalla is the latest in Aston’s growing lineup of exotic supercars but while it’s easy to …
Aston Martin is preparing to retire the legendary V12 engine from its model lineup, with the majestic twelve-cylinder being axed due to encroaching fuel regulations. We thought the DBS 770 Ultimate would be the V12’s swan song, but the British supercar maker has confirmed that we were wrong, and that the engine will play its final show in another model, the all-new 2024 Aston Martin Valour Victor Who? Aston Martin Looks To The Past For Valour Styling Direction At first glance, it’s easy to write off the Valour as a lightly reskinned version of the Victor coupe that’s currently sitting …
Aston Martin has announced that it intends to create a future that BEV models will eventually dominate. The main question we had was where the company would get EV components for its models. The company has revealed the answer and has killed two birds with one figurative stone by extending its existing partnership with Mercedes-Benz and entering a new partnership with EV maker Lucid Motors. Lucid To Supply The EV Backbone For Aston’s Green Future The deal between the two companies will see Aston Martin pay Lucid $232 million in shares and cash, with the upstart firm providing Aston …
Aston Martin is preparing to unleash a new generation of high performance grand touring vehicles into the luxury car segment, with the British sports car maker confirming that the next DB is coming sooner than many people realize with a new pool of teaser images pointing to a very potent surprise for loyalists and new buyers alike. How Grand Will This New DB Be? For now, Aston Martin isn’t divulging too many details about the new DB and the company’s wafer thin press release didn’t reveal too many clues either. What is known, is that this upcoming DB will …
Aston Martin is celebrating the recent success of its Formula 1 racing team which is currently in second place in the Constructor Standings and Fernando Alonso nabbed a podium finish several times including most recently in Miami last weekend. To celebrate, the company has confirmed that it will be creating a special version of the DBX707 called the AMR23 Edition. Aston Martin & Q Team Up For Unique AMR23 Edition The DBX707 AMR23 Edition is a product of Aston Martin’s Q Division and the bespoke division used the opportunity to experiment with paint and interior hues. The core styling is …
Aston Martin is saying goodbye to its long-running V12 engine. But while the coupe was a welcome surprise and it certainly gets the job done well. One piece was always missing in the puzzle: the ability to drop the top and soak in the sun. Aston Martin has found this proverbial square hole’s square peg and unveiled the all-new V12-powered Vantage Roadster. Vantage Roadster Takes Open Air Motoring To Next Level When you take your first glance at the Vantage Roadster, it might seem as if you’re staring at a mirror, with the rVantage Roadster sharing the bulk of its …
If you have a long road trip ahead of you, you’ll want to ensure you have some go-to activities on hand to alleviate the boredom. Traveling as a car passenger can certainly make for a fun road trip but, after hours on the road, it’s natural for the monotony to get to you. With these top tips, however, you can keep boredom at bay on a long car journey and arrive at your destination sooner than you realize: 1. Listen to an Audiobook Although many people don’t like to read in the car because it makes them feel unwell, you …
Following a flood of rumors that emerged this week regarding a potential shift at the CEO position, Aston Martin has officially confirmed that long time CEO Dr. Andy Palmer has stepped down, with current Mercedes AMG CEO Tobias Moers being appointed to replace him, with Moers fully assuming his new role on August 1st. Palmer’s exit comes as the company is currently trying to navigate its way through rough seas financially, with the company’s share price trending downward since it was allowed to float publicly in October of 2018. Things reached a sobering new low earlier this month, when the …
Aston Martin’s AMR sub-brand has produced an impressive list of hits during its relatively short time of being a production grade option for Aston Martin buyers. However, while the DB11 and the other big Astons have benefitted from this upgrade, the 2018 Vantage was forced to sit on the sidelines. That changes with the unveiling of the all new limited edition Vantage AMR. A key rule that defined older Vantage ownership (and arguably the best way to fully enjoy the car) was to avoid the single clutch automated manual, and go for the more analog. but purist preferred manual …
Aston just whipped the tarps of its fourth mid-engined car in as many years. The Vanquish Vision concept is a fascinating move away from front-engine, rear-drive layouts for the most special of Aston road cars. Another shift is a new V6 that is set to power this vehicle upon arrival in 2022. Aston famously ran straight-six motors for most of its glory days in the 1950s and 1960s so there is definitely precedent for a non-V8 or V12. Lightness is the name of the game for next Vanquish — and this Valkyrie junior has bonded aluminum structure and bodywork that …
Following the giant splash that Aston Martin made with the launch of the Valkyrie hypercar, the bespoke British sports car manufacturer has confirmed that it is working internally on an all new hypercar project, which is expected to be revealed in full at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Dubbed “Project 003” Aston Martin claims that the new model channels a lot of the lessons that were learned on the Valkyrie project, but it manages to still maintain its own distinctive DNA. Aston also revealed that Project 003 was engineered to deliver what the company calls “class-leading dynamics on both road …
Cars are without a doubt one of the most aspirational purchases you can make in your life. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, or somewhere in between, driving a better car is something most people yearn to do. The problem is that better cars cost more money, and as you need the best, most reliable car possible for general use, that often doesn’t leave any funds for a dream car. Unfortunately, most dream cars aren’t the types of vehicles you want to use as everyday run-around or to commute to work in. That means you’ll need at least …
When it comes to defining the ultimate production Aston Martin, the DBS nameplate has always played a key role in distinguishing these special cars from the rest of the fold. The DBS moniker also means more performance, which is whats exactly in store for the newest chapter of DBS. Dubbed the DBS Superleggera, this DB11 based monster replaces the old Vanquish S and also resurrects the “Superleggera” moniker which has not been seen on a production Aston Martin for several decades. Aston Martin stylists added a larger hexagonal shaped front grille, as well as a tweaked lower bumper which is …
With the all new 2019 Aston Martin Vantage slated to arrive in showrooms around the world in the near future, the long serving and aging previous generation Vantage will eventually be relegated to the pastures of retirement. But some Aston Martin customers were unhappy to hear that the newest Vantage will not feature (at least for now) a V12 engine. This unhappiness prompted Aston to take swift action, and they commissioned a limited run of “V600” variant Vantages to send off the 2018 version with a bang. The “V600” designation is nothing new for Aston, with the moniker first appearing …
The shockingly sexy new V8 Vantage was easily one of the stand-out stars at the Amelia Island 2018 Concours. This gorgeous new nose, sweeping panel surfaces and taut, tight tail end. Wisps of a bent LED lightbar in back will make grown men weak in the knees. The tail is even more impressive beside the brand-new DB11 Volante parked nearby. This is future-sexy and Vantage has it nailed. 2019 Aston Martin VANTAGE
Aston Martin’s revamped Vantage is a stunning preview into the bold moves the British sports car maker has planned for its broader business. These plans could include the return of a classic engine offering according to a recently published report. According to the fore-mentioned report the company is strongly considering the 3.0 liter Mercedes sourced turbocharged inline six for future models. Matt Becker Aston Martin’s chief engineer revealed he recently drove a Mercedes-AMG model equipped with the new engine in Stuttgart at Benze’s test facility in an interview with Wheels Magazine. Becker claimed he was impressed with the engine, …
Time for a follow–up to the fantasy colorizer. This launch for Vantage was well planned indeed! The car is showing up in special events across the globe in person – despite just coming online officially days ago. Fittingly, the cofnigurator is fully live and the Vantage is rumored to be sold out for first year already! Favorites include the Lime Essence launch color, a few of the Aston Designer Pre-Specced models and the new Q Palette. Shades so wild they need their own brave champion to drive! One of these is Kermit green, which we landed on through the detailed …
With a new era being ushered in thanks to a partnership with Mercedes Benz, the newly re-energized Aston Martin is keen on reinventing itself, and has followed up on the recent unveiling of the DB11 with perhaps the most important offering yet, the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage. The previous generation Vantage was a lingering spectre of the old Aston Martin with an aging platform, V8 engine, and a fussy semi-automated manual relegating the otherwise handsome Vantage to the back of the sports car line. In short, it was like a hipster wearing Abercrombie and Fitch in a sea of Ralph …
One of 2018’s sexiest new cars has landed. The new Aston Martin Vantage takes a quantum explosion into the future. V8TT, tight and lithe chassis, and sparing design that relishes drama. Here is a shark on the autobahn. An MX-5 GT500 some might joke. But here this Vantage is so, so painfully beautiful that it makes the 911 seem trad and old. Onward to the future of Aston. The reveal Vantage wears a very familiar Lime Essence paintwork that does what I always do. Try to find that elusive perfect yellow-green. As Vantage strides into the future, we take a …
Whisper it, but Aston is on a serious roll lately. The launch sales of DB11 are strong and Vanquish is holding its own versus Bentley and Porsche. All two dozen copies of the halo 2016 Vulcan track star sold out in days, and the future of the DBX SUV is on track for arrival in summer 2018 to stores worldwide. From a brand new factory in Wales, of all places! Sure, Rapide and Vantage are showing some age, but will be rejuvenated fairly soon with new AMG turbo powertrains. And then we have this masterpiece. The collab with Red Bull …
The Aston Martin Vulcan is an icon already. 24 examples in total exist worldwide and they are getting rarer by the day. Why? Because to make a Vulcan AMR Pro, you need to supply the Vulcan. This might be a dying breed of exotic. A track-only hypercar that is front-engine and naturally aspirated? Indeed. This machine might be peak balls in terms of an English or global salute to this layout. The most trusty around corners, but lacking some of the final corner speed of the mid-engine template. A front-engine car also means the bodywork cannot be as extreme as …
Goodwood is as glorious as ever this year! It seems like every supercar that matters is at Lord March’s estate – along with thousands of adoring fans. The clear stars of the show are the glorious Ford GT and the Bugatti Chiron. And of course the Lamborghini Centenario and the Aston Martin Vulcan. Don’t forget the new Pagani Huayra BC. And clearly the McLaren 720S and world-premiere 570S cabrio are worth seeing in action. Don’t forget the fresh-facelifted Maserati GranTurismo or a back-to-back look at the Panamera’s new choice of sedan or wagon bodystyles. They’re all represented here! Watching …
What car from 2012 would we kill to own!? THIS ONE! Beautifully unique versus every other Aston Martin. And finished exquisitely as one of the 65 total, handmade units that came out of the Aston/Zagato partnership. This “No Zero” example shows no mercy in its finishes and execution. Custom badges for the number zero special and a butterfly-wing badge accent are notable special items Aston did for this owner. This motif is gorgeous and harks back to the original Aston logos of the 1920s. [The wings are peeling a pit, unfort.] The bright carrara white paintwork over gloss black for …
Aston just revealed some major technical partners for their new flagship hypercar program! Paired with Red Bull Advanced Technologies (and their awesome F1 wind tunnel!), Aston Martin is prepping the run of 150 savage road cars for arrival in calendar 2019. As you’d expect, the technical suppliers list reads like racing royalty: Cosworth engine, Ricardo box and Multimatic tub. Unlike the latest plugin fashion, the AM RB1 is set to be a shrieking purebred of a racer. Not even forced induction for this savage beast. Just mid-engine V12 power and extreme aero/grip. Love it. Favorite design elements include the …
When Aston Martin first unveiled the 2017 DB11 coupe, it represented a monumental shift for the British supercar maker. Aston Martin has always been known for its unique heritage, but lacked a versatile stable of fresh product to truly standout against supercar benchmarks like Lamborgini and Ferrari. The 2017 DB11 looks to change all that thanks to its revamped styling, performance and technology. This special car heralds a promising future for the brand, but will all of its new tricks help it cement a spot in the hearts and wallets of Aston loyalists? Or does it miss the mark? …
For years now, the car world has collectively wished for a new-looking Aston Martin flagship. Do we finally have one? Yes, yes we do. 2016 Aston Martin Vanquish ZAGATO Concept ASTON MARTIN UNVEILS VANQUISH ZAGATO CONCEPT AT VILLA D’ESTE 20/05/16 20 May, 2016, Cernobbio, Italy: Aston Martin and Italian design-house Zagato are proud to announce the Vanquish Zagato Concept, the latest creation from their long-standing partnership. The Vanquish Zagato Concept will make its global debut at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, held at Lake Como in Italy from 21 – 22 May 2016 The Vanquish Zagato Concept …
Here is a vehicle whose beauty is only surpassed by its rarity. The 1954 Siata Torino 200CS. It has the elegance of many Maserati’s, but also the purpose and aeronautical inspiration that made the Aston Martin DB3 and DB4 such hits. And what is this!? No cutlines whatsoever in the back bubble fastback?! Hidden headlamps? These might be the second-ever application of pop-up headlights since they made their first aero-inspired appearance in the Cord 810 of the 1930s. The elegance of a pure, clean upper hood edge would come in vogue by the 1970s, and ride the wave through the …
The Aston V12 Vantage S has future-classic writ large all over it. Aston Martin’s smallest, lightest platform paired with their largest engine. What could be better!? A stickshift option, that’s what! The 2017 model introduces a new seven-speed manual transmission choice to go along with the paddle-shifted variety. New infotainment units across the board for all 2017 Astons will bring the V12 Vantage S bang up to date on the tech integration front too. Performance is shared across the six-speed automatic or the new stickshift: 3.9-seconds to 62-mph and a 206-mph top end. The slick new stick has a dogleg …
It seems like just yesterday that the arrival of the F-Type R out front of CRD brought literal tears to my eyes. Even before seeing it, we heard it rumbling up the road and immediately got weak in the knees. As the third review article of this stunning machine, we’re going to switch up for format dramatically. Into a list — as there are so many reasons to love the F-Type R AWD, we’re struggling to even vocalize the feelings. In short, this vehicle is not just a Car of the Year contender in 2016. That seems like too small …
There are no words deeper than this Beluga black Aston DB AR1. RM Sotheby’s Monaco Coinciding with the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Le Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco 14 May 2016 http://www.rmsothebys.com/mc16/monaco/lots/ 2004 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato
This is it! In all its official glory: the 2017 Aston Martin DB11. The huge news is of course the DB11 design outside — which is a radical advancement over the similar-looking models in DB9 era. A new floating roof and C-pillar forms a functional aeroblade in the back of the roofline — in very sexy fashion. A wider, deeper Aston single-frame grille is more true to the original DB shapes from the 1960s, and is deeply modern and elegant. And more crucially: brand-new from even 100 paces! THe brand-new details continue under the skin and inside the …
Oh, poor Aston. Just after the DB11 leaked online the other day, we have a fresh look at the factory race team’s 2016 endurance racing competitor: a heavily revised V8 Vantage GTE. This new entry complements a pair of V12 Vantages that are already on the docket for the Nurburgring 24H race later this Springtime. But woe is me. This car just can’t seem to catch a break. Long ago, other race teams would have packed it in, headed home and nursed their wounds. Only to return once ready to compete. Not Aston. They have stayed in the racing circuit …
The Jaguar F-Type has a broad competitive set. As a new two-seater in the Jag range, the car aims to snag buyers from everyone from the Porsche 911 to the Mercedes-Benz SL. In this R AWD Coupe guide, the closest rivals to the F-Type’s performance are easily the 911 Turbo and Nissan GT-R. But in most of its trim lines, with pricing from about $80k, the F-Type aims to lure 911 C2S and perhaps even Aston Martin V8 Vantage owners into the big-cat den. We came across a few of these fierce rivals this week while relishing every startup and …
The DB10 is finally available to buy! But not for you. =] Just ten of the bespoke 007 rides were created ahead of the film. It was not immediately clear if that ten included the movie stunt cars, or how the ten DB10’s would be sold. We now know. Eight were used to film the movie, while two stayed in pristine and brand-new condition. Aston is keeping one of the new cars for itself to enjoy. And that last one? Up for grabs! Christie’s auction house is selling the DB10 on February 24th to benefit MSF, or Doctors Without Borders …
1962 Aston Martin DB4GT by Zagato RM Sotheby’s NEW YORK, NEW YORK | An exclusive exhibition and sale located on Sotheby’s 10th floor gallery 10 December 2015 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT by Zagato Chassis no. DB4GT/0186/R Engine no. 370/0186/GT Photo Credit: Patrick Ernzen ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s In the early 1960s, Aston Martin and Ferrari were in a heated battle for supremacy in the World Sports Car Championship. It seemed as if every season brought about a new, race-ready vehicle to ensure each company’s victory, and the teams were consistently fighting each other for first place. Competition was just …
More than a few days late on this news, but it is too good to skip! Aston Martin’s ultra-high-performance flagship just had a meet and greet with its namesake, the Avro Vulcan nuclear bomber! The Vulcan of the RAF has kept Britain and the world safe from the threat of nuclear weapons for the last 50 years, but will retire this month to the annals of history. And in doing so, this nuclear deterrent will enter the hall of fame for long-range strategic bombers. The beauty of the aircraft and its innovative, ahead-of-its-time delta wing design are icons for all …
Updated 9.7.15 with 111 New Photos Blenheim palace is rarely upstaged, but LaFerrari, LaFerrari FXX K, McLaren P1 GTR, Aston Martin VULCAN, DBX and DB10, Koenigseggs, Zenvo ST1, Pagani Huayra and a bevy of other hypercars came close. The bubble-top Jaguar won Best-in-Show, but the votes cast obviously skew retro for Concours awards. For hypercar fanatics, the new metal does not come more exotic and exclusive than the 200-plus vehicles on display. Did we mention 2017 Ford GT, GTA Spano, Tramontana, Toroidion, Porsche 918 Spyder, RIMAC concept one, Ferrari’s 488, Cali T and Tailor Made F12? Or how …
Updated 9.6.15 with 168 New Photos Blenheim palace is rarely upstaged, but LaFerrari, LaFerrari FXX K, McLaren P1 GTR, Aston Martin VULCAN, DBX and DB10, Koenigseggs, Zenvo ST1, Pagani Huayra and a bevy of other hypercars came close. The bubble-top Jaguar won Best-in-Show, but the votes cast obviously skew retro for Concours awards. For hypercar fanatics, the new metal does not come more exotic and exclusive than the 200-plus vehicles on display. Did we mention 2017 Ford GT, GTA Spano, Tramontana, Toroidion, Porsche 918 Spyder, RIMAC concept one, Ferrari’s 488, Cali T and Tailor Made F12? Or how …
Wowwwww! Every car who is any kind of supercar was at Salon Prive this week. Blenheim palace is rarely upstaged, but LaFerrari, LaFerrari FXX K, McLaren P1 GTR, Aston Martin VULCAN and DB10, Koenigseggs, Zenvo ST1, Pagani Huayra and a bevy of other hypercars sure tried their hardest. The bubble-top Jaguar won Best-in-Show, but the votes cast obviously skew retro for Concours awards. For hypercar fanatics, the new metal does not come more exotic and exclusive than the 200-plus vehicles on display. Did we mention 2017 Ford GT, GTA Spano, Tramontana, Toroidion, Porsche 918 Spyder, RIMAC concept one, Ferrari’s 488, …
Aston just rolled out a new special to celebrate the new James Bond film, SPECTRE, debuting this fall. For all the shared cache among Bond and Aston, we cannot recall another specifically badged Aston model with the Bond name. This is likely down to simple licensing costs, or brand covetousness within Sony pictures. An Aston Martin wearing 007 James Bond badges will always have a huge built-in fanbase, though, and the time is right to co-brand. A far cry from the DB10 prototype in the film, the DB9 GT Bond Edition is still fairly special in its own right. A …
We obviously cover the best of the best customs and tuners here. Sometimes too much? In the world of $300k monthly spending, too much is never enough. ARES design of Modena, Italy just celebrated that fact with a fresh showroom in the heart of London prime: 77 Picadilly. The launch cars are the ARES range of Wraith, Conti GT, Rapide S, Rangie, G63 and more. A brand-new ARES Huracan premiered at this five-diamond launch affair — but thats are only the beginning! This boutique design studio appears to have some serious talent and resources. The cabins are jaw-dropping. The exteriors …
McLaren is pulling rabbits out of hats in terms of esablishing historical provenance for the new P1 and P1 GTR, while Aston Martin is tearing up the glossy brochure and trying to relight the brand wildfire. Two contrasting strategies on full, proud display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The wildcard in this slugfest is the McLaren F1 GT Longtail — which bridges a link between then and now, plus P1 and the sold-out 2015 675LT. All will be revving hard up Goodwood hill. But they wont be alone. LaFerrari’s and even the FXX K will be vying for HDR …
There have been many attempts to drastically alter and update the style of Aston Martin DB9 supercars — many by Aston designers themselves. The most unrecognizable by far, however, was from Zagato. A DBS Centennial Coupe introduced the shockingly blocky redesign from Zagato, showcasing a full-width vertical grille unlike any production Aston. Not a single panel is shared with the production models, with all-new and uber-formal lines changing the proportions and stance of the Aston from a supercar GT into a super-lux cabrio perfect for Monaco. The tail of the Zagato DBS Centennial is even more appealing in its unique …
Updated 5.10.15 The 2016 Aston Martin Vulcan has been a real showstopper since its surprise reveal in Geneva. Replacing the One-77 as the ultra-fast brand flagship, the Vulcan will be a track-only wonder when it arrives to its 25 ultra-wealthy owners. But boy is this car hard to photograph in auto show environments! Its gloss-black lower aero treatment is delicious and highly advanced, but washes out in most indoor light. So in-person viewing will be extra important to clinch prized deposits. To that end, the Vulcan swooped into Dubai recently to be the local showroom’s electro-magnet… drawing in the great …
Reviewing this 2006 Aston Martin Rapide concept, it is almost unreal how closely the eventual 2010 production car is to its original inspiration. As you may know, the Rapide has been a major drain on Aston’s resources since sales of the four-door are only a quarter of originally anticipated. In its debut, the Rapide created a huge volume of excitement in the enthusiast community. It seemed at the time like a perfect sports-sedan with all the coolness of an Aston and a back seat and trunk that were truly practical. This excitement led to hundreds of eager deposit-makers — people …
Big day today in the Big Apple! Enjoy this photo fly-through of the first press preview day of #NYIAS =] #NYIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery Ford GT Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R Subaru BRZ STI Concept + Rally Cars Range Rover SVAutobiography VW Golf SportWagen AllTrack Aston Martin McLaren Koenigsegg, Bugatti + Lamborghini BMW Z4 GTLM + 1975 Sebring-Winning 3.0 CSL Jaguar XF Scion iA Scion iM BMW Alpina Kia Optima Mazda MX-5 Club
The most beautiful Aston Martin of all time? Almost certainly. 1957 Aston Martin DBR1
Geneva? Wasn’t that huge swarm of media intros and press conferences almost 10 days ago? Yes, yes it was. The Geneva Motor Show is currently open to the public and the Palexpo center is packed wall-to-wall with the world’s hottest exotica. Here is why we are revisiting this mega-show: there are 400 photos in our Geneva 2015 file folder that have not been published yet. Some of the cars are cool, some are curious, and some are normal economy hatchbacks. A dozen of the big reveals are in individual articles — viewable at the Geneva category page over here. But …
WOW! This new Aston Martin flagship has some serious thrills in store for its lucky owners. Named to honor the famous Avro Vulcan bomber, the Aston Vulcan will seek to match the excitement, adrenaline and glory of the first tactical nuclear strike plane ever produced. Luckily, this new track-only Aston delivers the goods without any fallout or blowback…. To continue the theme, the Vulcan was designed in a time when nuclear bombs had to still be dropped. Although the ICBM would arrive in the 1960s along with the production bomber, this plane was still a critical part of the …
Okay, Aston special edition fatique is definitely setting in pretty hard lately. But this is one special Vantage to really get – and keep – your attention in focus. But there is a big catch. What is special about this Vantage GT3? Based on the Vantage V12 S Coupe, the new GT3 model is 200-pounds lighter and nearly doubles the aerodynamic grip generated at high speeds. How? Through an all-new nose with deep splitter and ductwork, a fresh hood vent design to free any trapped air in this ultra-tight engine bay, and full reprofiled intake and bumper design in carbon-fiber. …
This design study by emerging automotive design all-star Ege Arguden is a fascinating look into the future of endurance racing. With ‘air power’ that compresses oxygen and converts it to wheel thrust, this future-tech racecar has many interesting facets to study even today. Versus contemporary Aston Martin racing prototypes, the AMR-AP by Arguden is a massive leap into the future. Even so, the 2035 AMR-AP design sticks with the things we know already work so well on the track: ultra-low nose, shrouded fenders, massive length and long-tail spoiler with numerous stabilizer elements. The Arguden AMR-AP prototype is most special to …
A pair of these very-rare Aston Martin Zagato specials are set for RM Auctions big sale in Arizona Janaury 15th and 16th. Somewhat surprising? The cabrio is estimated to earn near $100,000 less than the coupe. It looks like after this auction we’ll know the true value of the famous Zagato double bubble roof…. even if the Roadster is arguably more stylish with its flowing hardcover tonneau. 2003 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato RM Auctions Arizona 15 – 16 January 2015 Lot 216 2003 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato $300,000 – $375,000 Chassis no. SCFAE12383K700040 Engine no. 00416 Production no. …
A pair of these very-rare Aston Martin Zagato specials are set for RM Auctions big sale in Arizona Janaury 15th and 16th. Somewhat surprising? The cabrio is estimated to earn near $100,000 less than the coupe. It looks like after this auction we’ll know the true value of the famous Zagato double bubble roof…. even if the Roadster is arguably more stylish with its flowing hardcover tonneau. 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato RM Auctions Arizona 15 – 16 January 2015 Lot 217 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 by Zagato $200,000 – $250,000 Chassis no. SCFAE62303K800002 Engine no. …
The design and construction of this masterful Mansory motorcycle debut is second to no manufacturer in the world. Short of Pagani, perhaps! You can see how nearly every single part of the Mansory Zapico is custom-milled from alloy billet or hand-laid in carbon-fiber. The design itself is delightfully long-wheelbase and menacing, with a huge scale and 160-horsepower engine all kept low and ultra-cool. This is definitely a man’s bike — it is huge. But that does not stop the custom S&S V-twin engine from shooting the Zapico to 60-mph in just 3.3-seconds. Looks like that giant 285-section rear tire is …
Updated 12.5.14 Well, big day for Aston Martin! The new DB10 was front and center for the SPECTRE cast announcements, with director Sam Mendez pulling back the silk cloth on Aston’s future sportscar. Not a moment too soon!? Aston has been endlessly jabbed for their reheated styles in the last few years. But what we all may have forgotten is that we *love* that current style. But time moves onward and so does Aston. The new DB10 makes much more sense in the context of the limited-release Lagonda by Q Branch for 2014. This car is absolutely intense from many …
Bond is back in a new film, Spectre, in November of 2015 about a year from now. To equip the world’s favorite tinker-tailor/soldier-spy, Aston and EON productions just revealed the very tasty new DB10. The name is confusing for a few reasons, and we only have a single official photo of the car so far. But here is the skinny: Based on the V12 Vantage chassis, perhaps running new turbo AMG engines underneith. Wider and lower grille opening may indicate intercooler breathing room, plus a taller hood for packaging reasons? Unknown as of now. The car will be sold to …
Updated 10.5.14 New photos and production details of the new Lagonda limo — including a cabin that is breathtakingly posh. Regretfully for some, the Lagonda will only be available to buyers in the Middle East. As a low-volume model like the One-77, the Lagonda is sure to be one of the rarest of all luxury four-doors. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda PREVIOUS Lagonda lives! Breaking news with a confirmation from Aston-Martin on the 2015 Bespoke Super Saloon project – which is officially the new Lagonda saloon car. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda Inspiration for …
This is a light update to the previous LAGONDA article, but one that is best as a distinct piece to avoid confusion. As identified below, the nose and tail of the Lagonda SUV concept were its biggest problems. The make it hard to love. FIXED NOSE RENDERINGS The grille is far too large and far too bright. During a few hours in Photoshop, we have identified the eggcrate grille design as the true fault up front. It makes this Lagonda look like a Chrysler Sebring — which is not a flattering comparison for a superlux SUV. We have made the …
The Aston Martin Lagonda SUV was easily the most-hated SUV concept of 2009 when it debuted. People absolutely hated it. They hated the design mostly, but fell back on SUV hate for extra emphasis. The only other concept whose design has been so roundly hated was the Bentley EXP-9F — which required a full redesign, led to the re-assignment of the CEO who approved it, and ultimately pushed the production Bentley SUV debut back at least three years. What do these two hated SUVs have in common? — Long-history sports-car brands’ first attempts to move into the crossover market …
The monochromatic and gloss-black styling trend continues to gain pace today with the launch of the latest special editions from Aston Martin: the Vanquish Carbon Black and Carbon White. Sutle tweaks all around add menace to the classical beauty in the Vanquish design, which is overhauled mechanically as well with a new eight-speed automatic and dynamic improvements as well. The Carbon Black and Carbon White upgrades are available to order and configure now on Aston Martin’s website as the coupe or drop-top Volante. http://www.astonmartin.com/en-us/cars/the-new-vanquish/vanquish-carbon-edition 2015 Aston Martin VANQUISH Carbon ASTON MARTIN REVEALS VANQUISH CARBON SPECIAL EDITIONS 17/09/14 17 September 2014 …
Lagonda lives! Breaking news with a confirmation from Aston-Martin on the 2015 Bespoke Super Saloon project – which is officially the new Lagonda saloon car. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda Aston Inspiration for the design is said to tie directly to the 1976 Lagonda saloon below in original and VirtualModels.org’s dragster prototype. Most likely reference points in the bespoke 2015 Lagonda are the D-pillar shape and glasshouse, which is more faithful a revamp than the current Rapide S. A chopped and simplified vertical grille and nose bring the light elements low and part of the front face, versus on …
$5.5-million is a very high tally for any Aston Martin, but this 1955 DB3S is surely a deserving specimen. As both a show car and a racecar, the DB3S is a stunning beauty and a timecapsule of design in the 1950s. The chassis design was completed by a famed Austrian engineer with experience designing Auto Union racers in the 1930s, while the exterior design by Frank Feeley is perhaps Mr. Feeley’s finest-ever work. Feeley was a Lagonda man until joining Aston with Lagonda’s buyout in 1947, where his ultra-luxury model focus was shifted to racecars. One amazing element of the …
Pebble Beach seems like the ideal place to arrive in a Mansory hypercar. While the avant garde style of Mansory upgrades might seem like overkill in any normal city, Monterey during Pebble Beach thrives on what is new, what was great in classic car history, and what is next in supercars. The Mansory Cyrus upgrade pack consists of a a full cabon-fiber overshell for the DBS and DB9 from Aston Martin. The whole effect is actually quite dramatic at channeling the One-77 as well as two other things: — from afar, the Mansory Cyrus might recall a camo’d or wrapped …
Even more thrilling news from Aston! The technical upgrades to the Vanquish and Vanquish Volante also join the Rapide S saloon-car for 2015. This brings an enormous leap in agility and pace at all times thanks to the latest and greatest ZF Touchtronic III automatic transmission. Mounted in back on the rear axle, this transaxle setup creates an exceptionally balanced sportscar with weight distribution balanced exquisitely. A transaxle layout is the best method for a supercar sedan – as shown by the previous Maserati Qauttroporte and other heroes with four doors over the years. The Rapide S also brings new …
Thrilling news from Aston Martin today! The 2015 Vanquish brings a hefty set of upgrades and updates – including the best-ever automatic transmission from ZF. Dubbed Touchtronic III in its Aston duty, this amazing box is a wonderful complement to the new 2015 adaptive/adjustable dampers and a new torque tube as well. The eight-speed auto optimizes the 568-hp V12’s power to great effect in all scnearios. This includes the 60-mph sprint, where the 2015 Vanquish nails a 3.6-second pace. This is down more than 0.6-seconds versus the current car. Great stuff! The full details are out – below is nearly …
The Aston Martin One-77 is so incredibly sexy and dramatic – as rare as it is special. The typical Aston GT visuals are all stretched, lowered and made more bad-ass in every way. Far down below in this article are 42 high-res photos of the 77-copy hypercar out and about at a few fancy shows in England – looking dapper even in a mature maroon. Directly below is a visual color test, including a virtual ‘black pack’ of tinted glass, dark headlamps and a few shades of darker grille. Still very impressive designs on the One-77 — with the large …
Small car, huge engine. This has been the most successful formula for making lively sports cars since the AC Cobra and before. To that end, Aston Martin has dropped its latest and greatest 6.0-liter V12 into its smallest roadster: the Vantage. With performance of just 3.9-seconds to 60-mph through the automatic transmission, an exhaust note that gives you goose bumps every time, and personalization options that run to 30-plus colors — this is the pinnacle of Aston Martin in 2014. SONIC DEBUT VIDEO DEBUT 2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster 2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster Full …
Concept Flashback – 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog vs 2014 Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GranTurismo Aston took its future vision and threw it into fast-forward by the mid-1970s and early 1980s. The model range at the time was a mix of the Vantage and the Lagonda sedan – one looking and feeling like it was frozen in 1969, the other, 1999. So one very antiquated, and one ahead of its time. The 1980 Bulldog concept was ostensibly a range-topper; something to leapfrog the competition and bring the Vantage and supercar customer base into a bold and futuristic new decade. Alas, the …
The Lamborghini Estoque from Paris 2008 created a flurry of media attention and even compelled some eager buyers to put down deposits on the car during the great auto show. Over the next year and a half, Lamborghini evaluated the concept’s production feasibility in detail – bouncing volume and pricing business plans back and forth to the Volkswagen Group board, exploring Panamera collaborations for the platform, and even building out a long-term front-engine GT car plan to accompany this gorgeous four-door to Lamborghini dealerships. This last bit – with a front-engine coupe and cabrio joining the business plan – made …
Thinking and writing about Aston Martin makes me kick myself in the tits again today for missing a chance to drive the 2014 Vanquish Volante last month at Road America. Alas, it was late in the day and the Vanquish had been very occupied by the 100 other journalists on hand. There was only one test drive left, and another hack got his paws on it first. Maybe next year…. Is what I have been saying since I saw my first DB7 at a resort in Michigan in 1995. I will get behind the wheel of an Aston Martin. Not …
Aston Martin is on firm footing for the first time in over a decade: with the Mercedes-Benz AMG partnership signed and sealed, the company is poised for an exciting next chapter. We are thrilled to see the resulting sportscars – they will bring the best of both worlds to Aston showrooms very soon indeed. It is a mutually-beneficial gig all around – this is no charity write-off for Mercedes-Benz. First and foremost, it will allow Daimler to increase its average transaction price overnight – which is a somewhat silly metric for success that is nonetheless highly considered by the influential …
UPDATE1 – High-Res Photos from Aston Martin now included. But first… the name. DP? Ferrari has the FF — which we all are sure does not mean anything in sex slang. But now we have the DP? What is next in the hypercar naming lexicon? A perfect example of wanting what we cannot have this morning from Aston Martin. The DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo broke cover today at Goodwood showing ultra-modern proportions and a mid-engine hypercar design study. Of course, Aston is famous for many things. But mid-engine cars? Not really one of those things….! But even so, many …
2017 Aston Martin ELV8 Crossover, SUV and AWD Sedan Renderings SUV adaptions by Car-Revs-Daily.com staff Original Artwork by Lutz Valdeig – Atelier Valdeig PART TWO: ASTON GOES AWD All the previous article applies to this SUV idea even more. Aston Martin could sell alot of SUVs or crossovers with access to the 4Matic-ready platforms of Mercedes-Benz. 2017 Aston Martin CROSSOVER RENDERING 2017 Aston Martin SUV 4×4 RENDERING 2017 Aston Martin AWD SEDAN RENDERING ASTON MARTIN REACHES INFLECTION POINT Big changes at Aston Martin – 2013 and 2014 have finally seen the big apex point in the company’s resurgent …
Original Artwork by Lutz Valdeig Atelier Valdeig ASTON MARTIN REACHES INFLECTION POINT Big changes at Aston Martin – 2013 and 2014 have finally seen the big apex point in the company’s resurgent modern history. Ulrich Bez has stepped aside from some of his all-controlling ways, huge chunks of equity have been sold to investment firms, and a broad partnership with Daimler Benz means Aston finally has some big-company resources to utilize once again. For as much-maligned as Ford was during their stewardship of the brand, Ford was a wonderfully generous partner to Aston-Martin during the many, many years that it …
INTRO: Ooooh, Aston Martin must be fuming today. The new Fiesta Red and Fiesta Black Editions don some accent-color around their grilles in a way that directly recalls Aston racecars, or the new N430 special Vantage below… What is the downside of being the UK’s best-selling car for more than a decade? It can be a bit hard to stand out in a crowd. Highways in London must feel like Fiesta bumper cars — with all the colors muted tans, silvers, greens and light greys, scratches and fender benders do not even transfer any new paint onto your Fiesta! That …
Oh yes! Were you growing a bit fatigued with the GranTurismo VisionGT concepts? Well, brace yourself! We are only about 20-percent of the way through the major manufacturer releases – only Mercedes-Benz AMG, VW GTI Roadster, Mitsu XR-PHEV and a handful of others have been seen so far. This leaves the vast majority still to come, in a drip feed about once monthly over the next year or more. Why this slow trickle? It is to provide space for each car to be driven by people in the game, and room to breath around the other announcements. Here are …
THE WHO Like many small British brands who shall not be named, Aston can feel a victim to its own design success, at times. The DB7 kick-started this modern styling vogue, which led smoothly to the 2000s Vanquish and DB9 and the modern range. But sometimes what is needed is not evolution, but revolution. This latest safe-design kick is the blowback from Aston-Martin’s aggressive design flirtations in the 1970s and 1980s — cars like the Lagonda sedan and the Bulldog wedge concept were so ‘out there’ that they nearly bankrupted the company of customers and ideas. All while making the …
The artful styling direction at Zagato typically ebbs and flows between two extremes: curved softness and sharp brutality. Things appear to be swinging back to the sharp side of the ruler lately, with the DBS Centennial by Zagato implementing creases and a blocky nose and rear form that is much more 1980s than we have seen from Aston or anyone else, since that decade, perhaps. The Alfa-Romeo SZ and even many Astons from this era whole-heartedly embraced crisp graphics: just recall the Aston-Martin Lagonda saloon car for reference. Curves and flow are not totally out of the picture for the …
This sentence originally closed the article, but must be bumped to the front: This is a Superleggera car — with an alloy bodyshell! HIGHLY DESIRABLE…! Carrozzeria Touring handled these few cars, if we are not mistaken… This DB4 was originally delivered to Castrol in the United Kingdom, forty years before Castrol motor oils officially became part of British Petroleum in the year 2000. For trivia buffs, CC Wakefield and Company became Castrol in 1960, before being purchased by Burmah Oil in 1966. But this has nothing to do with this outstandingly-authentic DB4, which is in true “Barn-Find” condition. Somehow, the …
As shown by the Car-Revs-Daily.com exclusive renders of a possible GT40 Can-Am Spyder, Corvette Stingray Speedster and the GT-R Spider — you know we are huge fans of roofless cars. Most of these are not quite “cabriolets” in the ‘convertible’ sense – there is only one setting. They are strictly fair-weather friends. But the lack of a roof mechanism frees the designers to go wild, and the results are nearly always miraculously beautiful. Clear influences for this MINI Superleggera come from the Jaguar D-Type (and Project 7…), as well as the Porsche 718 RSK Spyder and even a handful of …
Nissan GT-R GT3 Nurburgring 24H Race When the Nissan GT-R goes racing, it typically does so to win. This is not a flight of fancy – the latest GT3 version of the mighty GT-R must know something we do not about speed and stamina around the Green Hell. Either the car knows something, or the Nismo.tv YouTube channel, or perhaps the GT Academy drivers for this year’s online reality competition show? Someone must be very confident that this GT-R GT3 can beat everything else on the grid. With this GT3-spec GT-R, perhaps Nissan is delivering such fast testing laps …
Amelia Island 2014 – 1939 Aston Martin 15/98 ans DB4 SuperLeggera Before we dive into this incredibly delicate but very powerful 15/98 shortie roadster — here is a selfie of your humble scribe with a touchably-smooth (caressably-soft?) 1960 DB4. Smooth, but definitely not soft. This DB4 wears the cherished SuperLeggera badge — indicating its body was made of aluminum-alloy versus steel.Aston-Martin worked with Milan’s Carrozzeria Touring on a number of projects in this era. Estimated weight saving with alloy? 250-pounds or more. This DB4 sold for $462,000 by RM Auctions on March 8th, 2014. Adding $150,000 to that total takes …
As much as we young folks like to think Aston-Martin is the epitome of a Bond car, that was not actually the case the first few times our man slid behind the wheel in Ian Fleming’s novels. His preferred coach in at least the first few books is the Bentley Continental R-Type, in black, if we’re not mistaken. Without quoting any of Flemings work (for lack of time, in honesty); the R-Type Fastback Sports Saloon certainly best matches my memories of his first car-of-choice. For, you see, Commander Bond was a bit of a lout. He was not a wild …
Hyundai is a very smart and savvy organization, staffed by some of the keenest automotive minds available at any price. Further proving their strategy to move upmarket and laterally toward enthusiasts, the Genesis sedan and Coupe lines continue to blossom. With this core rear-drive platform, many cars are possible that would have been mere pipe-dreams in the past. (And the present for others such as Acura who are tied to front-drive up and down the range.) HYUNDAI CONCEPT HND-9 My favorite details on the HND-9 are many, but include the free-form grille shape, the swan-wing doors that bring part …
Update: Met Charlie Kemp and learned all about the car while down for the auctions. New article coming soon. =] This car. Oh man, this car! Forgive me for two RM Auctions articles in row, but have you ever seen such a gorgeous racing Shelby? The orange lip and splitter brings some Aston Martin Racing flair to the car – even though this Shelby-signed racecar came decades before. The Aston Martin Vantage from the 1970s-1990s actually shared much of the Mustang’s hood-grille style, in fact. So good sharing across the pond. This Ford GT350R is scheduled for Amelia Island’s RM …
We have been Dr. Honesty lately! Trying to keep it constructive, generally, but it is a slippery slope once you open the taps. So what does this have to do with the Mustang GT convertible? We recently noted in this Mustang Triple Yellow article that Ford’s photography department seems to be less-adept than the best competitors lately. Video stills below. Aston-Martin DB9 Carbon White — Car-Revs-Daily.com exclusive spinner — Made at my desk from **at least 180 raw image files** =] Oh, this is actually draft below. It has an error. Try to spot it… These auto-play moving pictures leverage …
Codename 001 — DB9 Carbon White These new Carbon DB9’s are really the cream of the crop. While still wearing the DB9 tag, this car is almost totally new versus any pre-2012 cars. The Carbon DB9’s 0-62MPH time is quoted below at 4.6-seconds with the latest Speedshift II torque-converter automatic and launch control, which almost ensures a 4.5s or below time for the slightly shorter 60-mph sprint run. That torque converter note is not a jab. A smooth and relaxed auto is an asset for this car in 99% of real-life driving. The beauty of being a small, high-glam …
One would assume that after working for some big tech names like Pandora.com and Starcom Worldwide that I would be able to master aspect ratios. Yet that silly Kodak-style 4×6, 5×7 etc layout glitch often keeps my swanky animations from playing on the homepage. Probably for the best — the site is slugggg-ish today, and those Aston Martin N430 Spinners topped 8MB in some configurations. Each! So, not exactly a low-bandwidth type of mind on thisguy. Sidebar: all the GIFs are download-able on purpose =] Regardless, I saw another very pretty car today that might make for an attractive animated …
Intro/Summary Points: Wow. Aston really wants to sell these cars. Today. The N430 upgrade comes in five flavors that are all very modern, exciting and enticing. The N430 is also visualized and configurable on a this very dashing new website . I personally really admire the volume and quality of new images, which are far more extensive than Aston has typically provided to the press ahead of special edition models. Without these angles, none of my turntables are possible.(The 5MS table above is comprised of 90 images, for example.) Big hat tip for this and the RT from @AstonMartin …
The 2012 BMW Z4 faced a real crisis of confidence. While overall roadster sales have fallen off a cliff since 2009, the Z4’s problems are even more severe. From an all-star BMW style icon … into a niche-within-a-niche model that tallies sales in the hundreds per year? But was the styling of the fourth-gen car partly to blame? The original Z3 was such a smash hit – I can clearly recall being smitten with this humdrum four-banger roadster. Even on steel wheels, it look fantastic. Even with just a 20-second James Bond Goldeneye cameo its only claim to fame at …
This track-attack two-seater might look like a teardrop, but it is ready with explosive V8 power at the flick of a claw. First things first, however: this prototype is wearing composite glass — a testament to the racing pedigree of A.Bessette, the founding gent. That is why the mounting and glare characteristics are like a race car. But if ever in a hard crunch, plexi is always safer. And much lighter. The prototype FELINO has a top-hinged windshield. Founding spirit, I tell you! Alfresco options too… but I digress. FELINO is living the dream. When this FELINO initially came across …
Volvo is on a roll. After winning the ‘most improved style direction’ award here at CarRevsDaily last month for the Frankfurt VCC two-door, the Swedish team’s new style looks even closer to reality on the latest XC concept. The redesigned Volvo XC90 is so important to the future well-being of Sweden’s auto industry: it is hard to overstate how much is riding on the shoulders of this summer’s newest seven-seat crossover. The XC90 is currently a fantastic truck with good dynamics, a great ride, and everything from four-cylinder diesels to the smooth Yamaha V8 engine. The XC Coupe is obviously …
The new Aston Martin Vanquish is looking mighty tempting these days. Fresh styling outside, fresh tech inside, and sprint performance finally worthy of its pricing. That pace is 4.1-seconds to 60mph, officially, in case you were wondering. This low-rev quickness is a huge improvement versus the previous drag times for the DBS thanks to a host of changes to the V12 engine to liberate more ferocity. The new paddle shifters for the automatic add versatility, letting drivers instantly blip down a gear or three or max exhaust bellow. The new styling is actually quite memorable and distinctive, particularly in one …