If Aston Martin is going to install its largest engine in its smallest car, then of course it will the car racing. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage got a few minor tweaks to get ready for the Nürburgring 24 hour race on May 23 and 24.
Aston says the V12 Vantage race car will be close to production model, with only essential safety modifications, reduced weight and re-tuned suspension. The car has not had any additional aerodynamic enhancements.
It will be powered by the same 6.0-liter V12 engine that can be found in the road-going V12 Vantage and the DBS. It produces 510 hp and 420 lb.ft of torque, which is a 100 hp improvement over the V8 N24.
Press release after the jump.
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Aston Martin is lifting the curtain on it’s first sedan in almost 20 years. There has been plenty of spy shots and speculation about the Rapide, but now Aston is giving the official details.
The Rapide’s engine will be the 6.0-liter V12 lifted directly from the DB9, and will make the exact same 470 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque as in the DB9. The powerplant will be mated with Aston’s Touchtronic automated manual transmission, which provides normal automatic transmission features via push buttons mounted on the dash, or manual transmission features through wheel mounted shift paddles.
The design should be no surprise to Aston followers. It not only holds close to the 2006 concept, but the Rapide’s place in the lineup is to be for the DB9 customer who needs more room. "In 2010 there will be an Aston Martin for every type of sports car customer regardless of the demands of their lifestyle," said Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez.
Aston says the production car will be seen in the flesh by late 2009, so we’re still assuming the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The first Rapides should be on the road by early 2010.
Press release after the jump.
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There are certain car companies that absolutely understand what it means to be a driver. Aston Martin is one of them. When Aston decided that it needed to branch out into SUVs for customers who live where the roads are not paved, it reintroduced the Lagonda brand rather than pollute the Aston name.
Aston Martin only builds sports cars, and it builds them by hand.
The V8 Vantage Roadster that arrived on our doorstep came with a $154,035 price tag (base for a is $134K). For that price we instantly become a member of an exclusive club that mixes rich racing history with modern graceful styling.
Like any good group of enthusiasts, we all had trouble containing our excitement for this car. But one we got the fleet rotation down, it was time to figure out how the smallest Aston stacked up against the competition.
Photography by Thomas Carter
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Aston Martin revealed today its concept that will bring back the Lagonda brand. The concept’s styling seems to blends elements of a traditional sedan, SUV and others cars from Lagonda’s history.
Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez sees the Lagonda brand as a way for Aston Martin to branch out into other markets. “Aston Martins are pure sports cars… they are limited in their usability mainly because of the low ground clearance.” Bez says the rebirth of Lagonda must be suitable for or countries that do not necessarily include traditional urban areas. That also means the Lagonda will be geared less for all-out performance, and more about multiple terrains. “We do not intend to claim a lap record around the Nurburgring because there is no point in doing so.”
We shouldn’t be too shocked by the direction Aston Martin is taking on the Lagonda. Back in September when the car was first announced, Bez said, “The revival of the Lagonda brand would allow us to develop cars which can have a different character than a sportscar.” This may be most evident in the chassis considering that it is based on the Mercedes GL. The Lagonda will also be a place for Aston Martin to use powertrains it has not explored before such as flexfuel, diesel and hybrid systems.
There are currently plenty of emerging and established countries with well-heeled individuals who do not have access to proper roads. By making the Lagonda into an SUV/crossover vehicle, this enables Aston Martin to compete in more markets around the globe (there are 100 countries where Aston doesn’t currently operate) without having to tarnish its pure sports car image.
Press release after the jump
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Aston Martin brought two mockups of the One-77 to Geneva. Between the full size styling model, and chassis and powertrain skeleton, we know have a pretty good idea of how the £1 million (about $1.4 at current rates) supercar will shape up.
The One-77 is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine (same from the DBS, DB9 and new V12 Vantage) that delivers 700 hp. With a projected weight of 1,500kg the One-77 should be very quick (Aston predicts a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.) Aston also says the engine will be able to pull the car to a top speed beyond 200 mph.
The skeletal model showed off the full carbon fiber monocoque chassis, which is extremely lightweight and rigid. Like all Aston Martins, the One-77 will feature a front mid-mounted engine and the transmission mounted toward the rear of the car. What will be unique to the One-77 will be that the suspension will be mounted inboard to furter increase the weight to the ideal center of the car.
Although the supercar is limited to a production run of only 77 cars, there should still be a few available.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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We knew the Aston Martin DBS Volante was going to break cover in Geneva next week, but thanks to a broken embargo (not us, we swear), we’re able to talk about it before we see the roadster at the auto show.
The DBS Volante is powered by the 6.0-liter V12 engine also found in the DBS coupe. In both applications, the powerplant pumps out 510 bhp and 420 lb ft of torque. This helps the Volante make the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 4.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 191 mph. The topless DBS also comes with carbon ceramic brakes and a six-speed manual transmission or automatic six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ option is also available.
Aston is helping save some of the weight gained by removing the roof through composite materials. The hood, front wings and trunk are all made from carbon fiber.
If we were a little more juvenile, this would be the part where we make a reference about James Bond, seduction and toplessness. But we’re better than this (that’s what the comment section is for.)
Full breakdown in the press release after the jump.
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Aston Martin is performing a magic trick. It is plucking the 6.0-liter 510 hp engine out of the DBS, and is stuffing it in the smaller, lighter Vantage. Poof: the V12 Vantage is born. But don’t get too excited just yet. Like most magic tricks, everything is not a whole as it seems. The addition of four cylinders to the Vantage has made the crash protection area too small to meet U.S. standards.
So we will be a little sad when we see the car in-person for its premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. For everyone who is lucky to live in outlaw country, the V12 Vantage has a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) and 0-62 mph (0-100 kp/h) time of 4.2 seconds. These figures are made possible not only from the bigger engine, but also a serious diet of lightweight material including a carbon fiber driveshaft.
Even for those who live in countries where the V12 Vantage is legal, it may still be hard to get. Only 1,000 examples total are scheduled to be built.
Press release after the jump.
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Aston Martin won the GT1 class in the 2007 and 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans races with the DBR9, and now Aston has set its sights higher this year. It’s abandoning the GT1 class to focus its efforts on the faster LMP1 class and the overall win.
The car is based on the 2008 Charouz Racing System Lola, and power will come from the same production-based Aston Martin V12 engine that was used in the DBR9 that won in 2008. Although all car companies would like to win at Le Mans, this would be especially sweet for Aston Martin. Fifty years ago, Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori brought Aston an overall win on the French circuit in a DBR1.
More details in the press release after the jump.
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Last month we saw an official rendering of the Aston Martin Rapide, and now Aston is back in the rendering game to reveal the back half of the Porsche Panamera and Lamborghini Estoque.
Aston’s sedan should be powered by a 6.0-liter 500 hp V12. When we last heard news about the Rapide, CAR reported pricing between £130,000-£150,000 (about $193,000-$223,000 at direct current rates) when it arrives in about a year. This would be a welcomed price compared to the rumors that Aston Martin is trying to go upmarket and make the Rapide cost as much as $400,000.
Aston Martin revealed today the 2009 specification Vantage GT4 based on Aston Martin’s new 4.7 liter V8 Vantage. The Vantage GT4 is built to FIA GT4 regulations, and is a replacement for the V8 Vantage N24 racer. It is priced at $143,000 and will be available starting January 2009.
The Vantage GT4 is powered by the latest 4.7 liter V8, with the engine management system recalibrated for race use. It also has a free flow exhaust system and air filters, and the standard V8 dry sump lubrication system is retained, helping to prevent oil surge during cornering. Aston didn’t release any new horsepower figures, but with the software and airflow upgrades, expect there to be a few more ponies than than the Vantage road car’s 420 hp that are also on tap quicker. The engine is mated to either a six speed manual, or a Sportshift transmission with paddle controls.
Aston Martin racing cars are known more for eliminating weight from road cars than adding performance. The Vantage GT4’s weight is down to 2932 lbs (661 less than the standard model). This has been possible due to use of a range of weight reduction measures. The entire interior is removed except for some of the dash paneling. This is still an Aston, so any original interior bits are still trimmed in faux-suede Alcantara.
Press release after the jump.
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