All posts in “Aston Martin”

Please Join Formula One, Aston Martin

Within the past decade or so, Formula One evolved in car design through aerodynamics and engine packaging. Gone are the days of the mighty V12 of the 1990’s and here is the world of turbochargers and energy recovery. Many have argued that current engine regulations have taken the fun out of the sport and limited participation to the ones that can afford the R&D costs.

I’m not going to take anything away from Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes-Benz Petronas team, but I’m just tired of seeing him on the podium. Don’t even get me started on Finger Boy!

There is a solution to everything: there is a revision of the regulations come 2021 with hopes of attracting new constructors to join in on the fun. And it seems like it has attracted a maker across the Pond.

There have been reports that Aston Martin is keen on joining in Formula 1 under Team Red Bull Racing. While they’re currently working with Renault who’s supplying McLaren, and Renault this season, Red Bull hasn’t been doing great this season with issues in Bahrain, an engine issue during FP3 in Shanghai, and a third-place finish in Spain.

Autosport.com reports that Aston Martin is paying attention to the new rules, especially with the focus on a simpler turbocharged V6 engine and the removal of the MGU-H unit.

They are aware that they must be competitive before talking with Team Red Bull and hopefully, things will get sorted out by 2019,

“We’re looking at 2021, so it’s somewhere down the road,” Palmer told Autosport.

“But if we can’t pass the ‘it’s OK for Red Bull test’ then that probably means we’re not passing the ‘it’s competitive’ test, and it has to be competitive.

“There’s approximately nine months’ work in front of us to convince ourselves one way or the other.

“You’ve got simulation tools and single cylinder work, and that gives you a pretty accurate correlation between the testing world and the simulation world.”

We look forward to seeing Aston Martin join the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz onto the podium. Carry on!

May 23, 2018 / Comments Off on Please Join Formula One, Aston Martin
0
660

Blast from the past: Aston Martin announces limited run of V12 Vantage V600

The old adage goes the customer is always right. In the case of the Aston Martin Vantage V600, we think they got it very right indeed.

Aston Martin recently released the new Vantage, a lithe, neon green sports car that looks like something out of a sci-fi comic book. Despite the futuristic impression it gives off, the Vantage pays its dues to its roots; that shape is unmistakably Aston.

The company has never been afraid of looking to its past for design inspiration – look at any model in the Aston Martin lineup today and you can trace elements of its design and execution back to the DB5 and even the original 2-Litre Sports released under David Brown back in 1948. That car is so influential to the Aston bloodline that his initials grace the company’s grand tourers to this day.

For the V600, Aston Martin customers commissioned the return of another historic namebadge for the company, with V600 having adorned a bonkers limited-run twin-supercharged 600bhp Vantage built without ABS – a last hurrah for that incarnation of the Vantage before tightening emissions regulations edged it out of the lineup.

Fast forward to 2018: the new Vantage V600

Aston Martin says the spirit of that original car from 20 years ago carries on in this new incarnation. Based on the outgoing ‘VH’ Vantage, the 2018 Aston Martin V12 Vantage V600 features the charismatic 6-litre Aston V12 up front, upgraded to produce 600bhp, much like its namesake.

Just fourteen examples of the new V600 will be produced, with Aston promising the ultimate analogue Vantage, which should appeal to nostalgic fans of the brand who seek the on-edge feel of supercars from the brand’s history but without the danger, age-related issues or risk of breakdown that come with it.

To that end there is no semi-automatic ‘box – the V600 comes with a seven-speed manual transmission, connecting the driver directly with the experience of shoving that 600bhp to the rear wheels.

Keeping the V600 on the road is front and read dual independent wishbone suspension with three-stage adaptive damping for a sporty feel when required and a more comfortable ride when not.

While the body shape is that of the old model, aggressive styling cues let the in-the-know observer know that this is no ordinary Vantage. That bodywork is fully carbon fibre, with a strake along the side hinting at the menacing potential of the car. A darkened grille adds to the V600’s presence while providing cooling to the V12, while at the rear a quad exhaust juts from a carbon-fibre diffuser.

Aston Martin says the V12 Vantage V600 is available on request, with the fourteen models slated for delivery in the autumn.

How much do you want to be among the fourteen lucky souls to get behind the wheel of the V12 Vantage V600?

May 18, 2018 / Comments Off on Blast from the past: Aston Martin announces limited run of V12 Vantage V600
0
813

Aston Martin working on mid-engine Valkyrie ‘brother’ to rival McLaren P1

We know about the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the Valkyrie AMR Pro (pictured). And we know Aston Martin is planning a mid-engine rival for the Ferrari 488 and McLaren 720S. Now Autocar reports that the English luxury maker is working on yet another mid-engine model, a hypercar to outdo the McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari and stand up to the coming McLaren BP23. The newest addition to the small carmaker’s grand plans is said to be known internally as “brother of the Valkyrie,” and came about because of the sellout success of both the Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro.

Both “brother of Valkyrie” and the 488 competitor are expected to use a carbon monococque with aluminum subframes. Both will use lessons from Aston Martin’s tie-up with the Red Bull Formula 1 team, especially in packaging. Both are due to hit the market around 2021. And both will be products of the carmaker’s Performance Design and Engineering Centre, a base of 130 engineers set up at Red Bull F1’s Milton Keyes headquarters. However, the former car will fight in the £1M-plus price bracket ($1.4M-plus) where various manufacturers have made amazing hay with warp-speed daily drivers, and will be a limited edition “in order to add to its desirability.”

We remain in the dark on powertrains for both cars, but outsiders expect both to use a V8. When it comes to the “brother” car, Aston Martin’s working relationship with Mercedes-AMG means it could tap the 4.0-liter V8 used by the DB11 and the Vantage. Apparently that engine can be wrung out to 800 horsepower with help from an ultimate EQ Boost setup. That still wouldn’t be enough to compete in the segment, though, so the “brother” could become a demonstrator for Aston Martin’s electric know-how — a rolling showcase that could turn its halo light on a potential electric sports car. Or perhaps there’s another option that turns to Cosworth, the company helping develop the 1,000-hp 6.5-liter V12 in the Valkyrie.

Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer wouldn’t say much more about the junior supercar powertrain than, “In our portfolio today, we don’t have an engine capable of giving us the output we require. Whether through collaboration with AMG or whether by ourselves, we have to find an answer.” He told Australian outlet Motoring that it would involve hybrid assistance with power as the aim and “a fringe benefit on efficiency.” That sounds a much more likely case for the AMG motor, where an 800-hp ceiling gives Aston Martin room to tone things down and still bare fangs at rivals. As an aside, the Vanquish is expected to “move into true front-engined supercar territory,” which will make brand space for every offering in the lineup.

Aston Martin raided its main competitors’ personnel departments last year to give it the best chance of beating those competitors. Last year Max Swaj, who was head of innovation and body structures at Ferrari and Maserati, and Joerg Ross, who was head of advanced engines at the two Italian camakers, jumped ship for England along with a third, unnamed engineer. Then it nabbed Chris Goodwin, McLaren’s test driver of 20 years, to provide the kind of feedback that’s made superstars of the 675LT and 720S, and who was last photographed in the McLaren BP23 due next year.

Related Video:

March 12, 2018 / Comments Off on Aston Martin working on mid-engine Valkyrie ‘brother’ to rival McLaren P1
0
1049

Aston Martin hires Ferrari’s ‘key guys’ to challenge 488 GTB

Aston Martin is wasting no time in its aggressive product rollout, and it’s putting Ferrari and other supercar makers on notice.

At the recent launch of the DB11 V8 in Catalonia, Spain, we caught up with Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. The Aston chief gave us new details on plans for a mid-engine car to go up against the Ferrari 488 GTB, the McLaren 720S and the Lamborghini Huracán.

Palmer says Aston has harnessed a great deal of learning from the $3 million Valkyrie hypercar and plans to apply that to its next mid-engine car, slated to land sometime in 2020 or so. As indicated in part of our conversation below, design plans for that car are developing quickly.

Andy Palmer, chief executive officer of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., reacts during a Bloomberg Television interview in Singapore, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Palmer discussed the impact of Brexit on the auto industry. Photographer: Vivek Prakash/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Autoblog: You said there will be a forthcoming mid-engine sports car. I still think the Ferrari 488 GTB is one of the best I’ve driven. How do you compete with that?

Andy Palmer: “Well, I agree with you. That’s the best car in its segment. And we’re going to take it on. And I realize the gravity of that statement, of what that means.”

AB: So how do you take on the 488 GTB?

AP: “Well, to start with, you recruit from Ferrari the head of body structures, and the head of powertrains. I’ve now got three of Ferrari’s key guys. And really, it’s a big compliment to Ferrari. That’s the defining car in its segment, and it’s really, really good. And those three guys now work for me. And you combine those guys with Nick [Lines, chief planning officer, Aston Martin] and Marek [Reichman, chief creative officer, Aston Martin] who you know really well, and you create some great recipes. And now I’ve got a better understanding of what that car looks like.”

AB: How far along is that car? Is there a clay model already?

AP: “Yeah, there’s clay. There’s actually eight quarter-scales. And there’s one in particular that I’m leaning toward. We’ve got it pushed out; it’s gone to a second studio in Milton Keynes. That studio is different from Gaydon. And I’ve got a pretty good idea of what the replacement for the 488 is going to be like as well. So, if we’re going in that market, we need to be ahead of the 488. And there’s no naïveté about what that means.”

One of the recruits Palmer is referring to is Max Szwaj, former head of innovation and body structures at Ferrari and Maserati. Szwaj has been named vice president and chief technical officer in his new role in Gaydon. Another recruit, Joerg Ross, formerly head of advanced engines at Ferrari and Maserati, assumes the chief engineer, powertrain, role at Aston. A third recruit by way of Modena is a very recent acquisition and has yet to be formally announced.

Aston Martin’s forthcoming car would slot above the Vanquish GT and below the Valkyrie hypercar in the lineup. And while the British luxe automaker is developing replacements for its existing lineup — most recently kicked off by the new DB11 — the Ferrari 488 fighter would join the upcoming DBX SUV as an all-new model line for Aston.

Related Video:

October 6, 2017 / Comments Off on Aston Martin hires Ferrari’s ‘key guys’ to challenge 488 GTB
0
965

Aston Martin reveals Vanquish Zagato Speedster, confirms Shooting Brake

Today is a big day for fans of Zagato-bodied Aston Martins. The company has revealed the production version of the Vanquish Zagato Volante, a soft-top version of the beautiful Vanquish Zagato Coupe. It has the same 580-horsepower V12 as every Vanquish Zagato has, as well as a customized interior covered in so many “Z”s you’d think it was actually an Aston Martin Zoro. It’s in production now, but every example has already sold out. It isn’t the only open air Zagato to be shown today, though. Aston announced it is expanding its line of limited production Vanquish Zagatos with a Speedster and an upcoming Shooting Brake.

The Speedster makes its full debut this week, and unsurprisingly it looks both gorgeous and very similar to the Zagato coupe, and especially the Zagato Volante convertible. The key difference is that this open-top Zagato has dual cowls finished in exposed carbon fiber that flow back from the seats. Zagato says these are reminiscent of the “double-bubble” roof the company is known for, but seeing as this is also a traditional speedster cue, it seems more like marketing serendipity. That doesn’t make it less beautiful, of course. It’s also the rarest example of the Vanquish Zagato, as only 28 examples will be built, while the Coupe, Volante, and Shooting Brake will each be made in batches of 99. Like the Volante, all Speedsters have been sold.

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake

There’s yet one more Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato that hasn’t entered production, and presumably hasn’t sold out yet: the Shooting Brake. As one would expect from a car with the Shooting Brake moniker, it will be a sporty wagon. It will still be a two-seater, which means it should have an impressive amount of cargo space. That storage can be accessed via a powered hatch, and it can be filled with custom made luggage from Aston Martin. The long swooping roof also features the double-bubble design, and consists of plenty of glass to let in light. Though the car hasn’t had a real-life reveal yet, Aston Martin has provided a rendering shown above to illustrate what it will look like. We’re rather smitten with the look. We also expect to see the production car revealed next year when production begins.

Related Video:

August 15, 2017 / Comments Off on Aston Martin reveals Vanquish Zagato Speedster, confirms Shooting Brake
0
625

Aston Martin has a second mid-engined car coming

Aston Martin is expanding its exotic car horizons beyond GT cars into the realm of mid-engined sports cars. We’re not talking about the upcoming Valkyrie hypercar, though. Instead, we’re talking about a more mainstream mid-engined supercar designed to take on the Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Huracán, and McLaren 720S. Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin, stated this specifically when discussing future product plans with Auto Express.

According to Auto Express, Palmer said the car will be a competitor the 488, and will launch in 2020 as part of a plan to release a new model every year from now until 2023. Before the mid-engined car will be the rest of Aston’s new GT line and the DBX crossover, and following the Ferrari fighter will be a pair of Lagonda models and the DB12. The 2020 launch date is a full year sooner than we were expecting for a sub-Valkyrie mid-engined car.

Palmer cites a few reasons for going mid-engined. He explained that it’s the segment standard, and that it’s ideal for weight distribution. He also noted that going mid-engined will help bridge the gap between the top-tier Vanquish GT car and the Valkyrie. That’s a gap with loads of room for another model, too, since the Vanquish will likely be comparable to the Ferrari F12berlinetta, which costs a bit over $300,000. The Valkyrie, on the other hand, will go for $3 million and have performance comparable to the LaFerrari and the Koenigsegg One:1.

Related Video:

June 5, 2017 / Comments Off on Aston Martin has a second mid-engined car coming
0
803
Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

GALLERY: 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn Recap

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance showcases an introduction to some of the years best revealed production and concept cars.

If concepts and exotics are your thing, like they are ours, the Concept Car Lawn is the place to be and see the latest concepts.

Check out the gallery of this years Concept Car Lawn below.

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

Sx-Z | 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Cars

August 20, 2012 / Comments Off on GALLERY: 2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn Recap
0
2220
Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish Set For Pebble Beach Debut

The renowned Monterey automotive week in California starts soon and the highlight os it is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance taking place on August 19. Aston Martin will showing off, for the first time on U.S. soil, its new 2012 Vanquish at some of the various Monterey automotive week, specifically Pebble Beach.

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

August 9, 2012 / Comments Off on 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish Set For Pebble Beach Debut
0
1110

VIDEO: The MOST Legendary Of ALL James Bonds’ Cars To Get A Revival

When you mention the Aston Martin DB5, the first thing that comes to mind is James Bond. That’s because the DB5 is the most legendary Bond vehicle there is.

It evokes the same feelings as the Bond movies and Bond himself – Debonaire, classy, mysterious and the epitome of cool.

With the upcoming release of Skyfall in October, and the DB5 making a striking appearance in the film, the makers of Skyfall have released a video of the DB5 on set and in action.

July 26, 2012 / Comments Off on VIDEO: The MOST Legendary Of ALL James Bonds’ Cars To Get A Revival
0
1043
Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

OFFICIAL: 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Aston Martin has just released official photos and specs for its all-new limited 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster.

Specs:
Powered by Aston’s 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine
Cranks out 510-horsepower
470 pound-feet of torque
0-to-62 mph time of 4.5 seconds
Top speed of 190 mph

Exterior:
Redesigned rear decklid, which includes a new “flip” to provide high-speed stability and lower front intakes
Chassis changes and modified damper setup with unique valves and redesigned rear springs
Carbon fiber all around the body

Interior:
Optional interior package with additional carbon fiber pieces.

The roadster, and all of its glory, comes with a starting price of ₤150,000 – $233,340 US.

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Sx-Z | 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

July 13, 2012 / Comments Off on OFFICIAL: 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster
0
1182

VIDEO: Designing 007 | Bond’s World

Here is a glimpse of the full film that focuses on the creation of the iconic world of James Bond over the last 50 years. You’ll get an inside perspective from award-winning set designer, Sir Ken Adam; as well as Aston Martin’s Head of Design; along with the designers and the makers of the legendary Golden Gun.

The Barbican celebrates the 50th anniversary of James Bond with a unique exhibition that showcases the inside story of the design and style, including the original Aston Martin DB5 on display, of the world’s most influential and iconic movie brand. If you happen to be in the area, check it out: barbican.org.uk/bond/

July 10, 2012 / Comments Off on VIDEO: Designing 007 | Bond’s World
0
1000

SPIED: Aston Martin’s New V12 Vantage Roadster

Aston Martin’s V12 Vantage Roadster was spotted in London with its top in action and what appears to be a new option – colored carbon fiber weave.

July 10, 2012 / Comments Off on SPIED: Aston Martin’s New V12 Vantage Roadster
0
900