Archive for the ‘Aston Martin’ Category
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
Ferrari’s prancing horse has been voted the most iconic car badge in the world in a poll commissioned by MPH featuring Top Gear Live and run by orange.co.uk/cars.
The raging bull of Lamborghini took third place but it was luxury British sports car manufacturer, Aston Martin, that spoiled an Italian 1-2-3 by scooping second place and forcing Bugatti into fourth position.
Perhaps in part to Ferrari’s unbroken presence in Formula One since 1950 and testament to a long history of producing the most aspirational supercars of all time, nearly half (48%) of all the 5,235 participants declared Ferrari’s prancing horse (Cavallino Rampante) the most iconic performance car badge in the world.
Evidence of Italian engineering and style, Ferrari wasn’t the only Italian manufacturer in the top three. Lamborghini’s famous bull – a nod to the star sign of founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini – also captured the imagination of the voters securing 8% of the poll.
But it was James Bond’s favourite, Aston Martin, that upset an Italian red, green and white-wash with its winged badge winning 25% of the vote to take second place.
Fourth, fifth and sixth place were taken by Bugatti, Porsche and Maseratti respectively.
The poll was devised by MPH The Prestige and Performance Motor Show to highlight the vast array of high performance machinery on display at the annual automotive show at London’s Earls Court and Birmingham’s NEC in November.
This year, star cars at the MPH show will include the breathtakingly beautiful Ferrari California, the awesome Ferrari Enzo and the gorgeous Aston Martin DBS Roadster along with the Lamborghini LP560/4 Spider plus 300 equally remarkable supercars from around the world.
Of course, the added attraction of watching Jeremy Clarkson host Top Gear Live on stage has seen a rush on tickets for the shows at London’s Earls Court (5–8 November) and Birmingham’s NEC (12-15 November).
Silver tickets are priced at £42 each while Gold and Platinum tickets are priced at £65 and £99 respectively. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mphshow.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 0871 230 5588.
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Friday, July 24th, 2009
We’re a funny old bunch in Blighty. This is perhaps the only country in Europe where driving a Supercar can generate more sneers than anything else. There’s no doubt – especially considering the current climate – that the general reaction to, say, a £200K Lamborghini LP640 rumbling through our green and pleasant land often focuses on who’s actually driving it, and the subconscious hope they are lacking in some other department.
Let’s compare that to Italy, arguably home of the Supercar. I often have the pleasure of gunning one of the Lamborghini’s over the Swiss Alps to the little village of Sant’Agata Bolognese near Modena, home of Automobili Lamborghini Spa. Should I happen to meet another of Sant’Agata’s finest on the autostrada, the predictable wild gesticulations from the occupants never fails to raise a grin. Nor does the almost hysterical reaction from locals on seeing one of their own. Such bonhomie in complete contrast to good old England where a shaken fist is often the response.
But another of the troubles of owning a Supercar is that all eyes are on you, especially when trying to alight with dignity. Being a clumsy oaf, I have more than a few embarrassing tales of woe including one dating from just a few months ago, when I was nearing the front of one of those long silent queues waiting to pay in a fuel station. On reaching the till the attendant nodded at the black Aston Martin DBS I’d thundered up in, now parked next to pump 4 and asked ‘How much?’ Well used to this question I replied without hesitation ‘Oh about £170 grand’. ‘No’ he replied throwing me a nauseous look, ‘how much fuel did you put in it’?
I’ll save the worst till last though. Out with a friend in Leeds centre just recently, and this time ensconced in 6th Gear’s bright Orange Lamborghini Murcielago. I was persuaded by my passenger to park in a rare space outside a well known bar on Greek Street. As there’s almost no rear vision in these monsters, reversing isn’t exactly child’s play. The trick is to raise the upward opening door, perch on the sill, and lean far out to get a clear view behind. I’d almost completed this conspicuous manoeuvre with an audience gathering – and was feeling quite pleased with myself at getting it spot on. That was until my foot accidentally slipped from the clutch thereby propelling this carbon fibre weapon into the front of a Clio parked behind, all amid the cheers of aforementioned onlookers. It still makes me cringe now.
They don’t warn you about that in the manual….
Simon George
Simon George is a long standing contributing writer best selling car magazine ‘Evo’ and co-founder of 6th Gear, a Supercar Driving Experience company based near York. Covering well over 100,000 road and track miles a year in 6th Gear’s fleet he begins a series of articles on the trials and tribulations of owning and running Supercars..
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Monday, June 29th, 2009
Perhaps not often asked is the question “What would you get if you crossed a Aston Martin DB9 and a Toyota iQ?” yet this is the question that appears to only to have been asked at the Gaydon-based luxury carmarker but also answered! …and no it is not April first.
Dubbed the ‘Cygnet’ the new commuter concept car is based on the small Toyota iQ and things take a slightly surreal feel when seeing such a small car with the famous Aston Martin badge on the grille.
Aston Martin Chief Executive takes up the story, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ.”
“Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future. This concept – akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht – will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market.”
“The offering of a ‘Cygnet’ with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level.”
Will this ever become a production model? Is there even a market out there for a baby Aston Martin? Let us know your views in the comments box.
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
Aston Martin is proud to announce the return of Lagonda, one of the most iconic names in luxury car manufacturing. The intention is for Lagonda to enter the market place with a unique performance luxury product, a vehicle that combines exceptional ability with unsurpassed elegance, inside and out.
Lagonda’s return signals a major expansion of Aston Martin’s product line, taking the company into new and emerging markets around the world. To demonstrate the Lagonda vision, the LAGONDA CONCEPT has been created, a car that epitomises the intersection of craft, design and technology with Aston Martin’s established high performance expertise.
The LAGONDA CONCEPT is an avant-garde luxury vehicle; with powerful four-wheel drive, a four-seater car that will satisfy the most discerning and demanding owner. The concept demonstrates a commitment to innovative new propulsion technologies, new materials and elegant forms.
“The Lagonda is the luxury car of the future,” says Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez, “a combination of total usability, a new form and innovative new technology and materials.”
The return of Lagonda fulfils a long-term vision. Aston Martin’s modern era began in 2001 with the launch of the V12 Vanquish and the construction of the award-winning headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire in 2003. In the years that followed, Aston Martin has launched four class-leading new products, revitalising the performance GT category and redefining automotive beauty.
Aston Martin’s award-winning range, the DBS, DB9, Vantage and forthcoming Rapide and One-77, represent some of the most beautiful high performance cars ever built, refined, highly crafted and extremely well-engineered. An Aston Martin will always be a sports car; modern, exclusive and beautiful, it demands to be driven, with an exceptional character that rewards the enthusiast, both on the road and on the track. Above all, an Aston Martin creates an emotional response. It is a machine with soul.
Under the leadership of Dr Ulrich Bez, Lagonda will bring performance luxury into new markets and territories around the world. Reflecting its remarkable history, Lagonda will return to Russia, enter emerging markets in the Middle East, South America, India and China, as well as responding to demand from the dynamic, innovation-focused consumers of Europe, North America and the Far East.
Not only will Lagonda join Aston Martin in existing core markets, but the unique character of the new brand will help take the company into as many as 100 territories around the world and extend the brand to new customers. “An Aston Martin is an authentic, pure sports car,” says Dr Ulrich Bez, “but Lagonda is something else, a new brand that will reach into new markets and have different values to Aston Martin.”
The LAGONDA CONCEPT celebrates 100 years of car production under the Lagonda brand, a stunning contemporary evolution of this evocative name.
The modern Lagonda marries functionalism with luxury, through organic forms, rich materials and complex surfaces. The car is based on an advanced platform that is tailored to accommodate a broad range of future powertrains, including flexfuel, low emission diesel and hybrid systems.
The LAGONDA CONCEPT is a four-seat international tourer, an avant-garde luxury car that draws inspiration from the brand’s illustrious past as well as the visual language of speedboat design, the spacious individualist environment of the upper class cabin and the bespoke feel of contemporary modern furniture. Inside, the four generous seats are divided into two zones, front and rear. The result is a relaxed, rich environment that envelops you in warm, tactile materials.
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design, describes the LAGONDA CONCEPT’s design language as a fusion of fluid shapes mixed with hard, constructed lines. This organic, emotional approach eschews upright surfaces in favour of broad, flowing bodywork around the spacious passenger cabin.
The clear delineation between cabin, shoulder and flank is strongly reminiscent of the powerful and evocative lines of the 1930s era Lagondas, in particular the V12-engined version of the LG6. Viewed from the front of the concept, the deep, strong grille also evokes the presence and frontage of the cars from the inter-war era. The bold character lines that run along the sculpted flanks to the rear ensure the concept is planted firmly on the road. The large 22″ wheels and cut-away bodywork offer exceptional ground clearance, while the concept’s V12 engine delivers power through all four wheels.
A modern automotive brand must have strong core values and a broad range of abilities. The modern Lagonda will be the pre-eminent long-distance automobile, a vehicle that combines cosseting luxury with extreme functionality and technological innovation.
The Lagonda name has been an integral part of the Aston Martin story since 1947. The LAGONDA CONCEPT illustrates how the brand will once again stand together with Aston Martin as the perfect complement to modern performance. A Lagonda stands for functional elegance, performance, simplicity and comfort.
“Lagonda will create a new kind of customer relationship, instilling the spirit of travel, adventure and style into a single, formidable package,” says Dr Ulrich Bez. “An Aston Martin demands to be driven. A Lagonda demands a destination.”
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Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
Race Retro’s celebration of three golden anniversaries at this year’s show, held 13-15 March at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, have taken a surprising turn as auction house H&H will have a 24 carat gold painted Aston Martin on offer.
The 1995 Aston Martin DB7 was painted in 24 carat gold, platinum and palladium leaf as ordered by the Italian Prince Rupoli who owned the car. This extravagant paint job is rumoured to have cost around £150,000 and is complimented by seven diamonds that encrust the bonnet. H&H Auctions will have the car available for viewing on the Friday of Race Retro before the car goes on auction on the Saturday and expect the golden marquee to be sold for between £45,000 and £55,000.
As the chosen marquee for this year’s event, the organisers are paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of its 1959 World Sports Car Championship win. Aston’s on display include the DBR1 and the amazing DBR9 LMGT1 representing the class wins at Le Man 2008 as well as the V8GT Rally car which will be in action on the Live Rally Stage with rally legend Rauno Aaltonen and three times British Rally Champion Mark Higgins at the wheel on Saturday and Sunday.
The other anniversaries being celebrated are fifty years of success on the World Motorsport stage for the Mini with the winning Morris Mini Cooper from the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally along with the victorious driver Rauno Aaltonen and the Morris Mini Cooper 997cc, the ex works car used by Rauno, Timo Makinen and driven by Paddy Hopkirk in 1963 Monte Carlo Rally will also appear along with the Mini Clubman four wheel drive.
For those who prefer two wheeled racers, there will be a tribute to 50 years of the Triumph Bonneville and racing Triumphs with an amazing display including the spectacular ‘Texas Cee-Gar’ streamliner as well as other racing Bonnevilles and racing Triumph models. Celebrity drivers and riders joining Rauno and Mark include Paddy Hopkirk, Russell Brookes, Mick Grant, Steve Parrish, Guy Martin, Rosemary Smith, Barry Whizzo Williams and Tony Mason.
Adult ticket prices are £20 for Friday and £15 for Saturday and Sunday when booking in advance and parking is free. Children’s tickets on Friday are £5 but free all weekend. Show opens from 9.30am and closes at 5.30pm Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm Sunday. For tickets and the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com.
Don’t forget you can win free tickets to this year’s Race Retro show, right here on RoadTestReports.co.uk. All you need to do is submit a review of any car or van and select to enter the competition on the report form to be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets. The competition runs until the 6th March, don’t forget to check your email as we will contact the winners immediately after it closes to request the address you wish to receive the tickets at. The show opens on the 13th so we need to get the tickets out quickly.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
Luxury carmaker Aston Martin will present their most potent production sports car in its history at the 79th International Geneva motor show on 3rd March.
Based on the existing V8 Vantage, the V12 Vantage will feature a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp, with a top speed of 190 mph and an ultra swift 0-62 mph time of only 4.2 seconds.
The original V12 Vantage concept was unveiled to guests at the opening of the Aston Martin Design Studio in December 2007.
Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine. It represents the definitive driving package; providing spectacular performance to ensure a dynamically thrilling and everyday useable driving experience.
“The V12 Vantage has a unique character, unlike our other cars. This will appeal to different people with different tastes, allowing more people to enjoy the Aston Martin experience.
“This also illustrates one of Aston Martin’s key strengths – the ability to act quickly and turn concepts and ideas into reality.”
The V12 Vantage will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire joining the DBS, DB9 and V8 Vantage model lines which are built in the state-of-the-art production facility combining hi-tech manufacturing processes with traditional hand-craftsmanship.
Production will be limited to between just 300-500 examples per year, making the V12 Vantage a truly exclusive and exceptional driver’s car.
Deliveries of the V12 Vantage are expected to commence during quarter three 2009 with prices to be confirmed at the Geneva motor show.
Fancy driving an Aston Martin? Check out the latest Aston Martin Leasing deals, here.
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Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
Shoppers are travelling to London in search of the best deals on luxury cars, The Financial Times reports.
A fall in the exchange rate caused by a weak pound means that luxury brands such as Aston Martin and Porsche models are cheaper to buy here.
According to the publication, an Aston Martin DBS sports car is €60,000 cheaper in the UK than in continental Europe while others are buying left-drive Porsches in London to drive back across the Channel.
Raj Bedi, director of Import Marques, told the Financial Times: “Germans are buying a German-produced car from us and taking it back into Germany and it is cheaper. It is bizarre.”
Meanwhile, Autoshippers, a car shipping company, told the newspaper that it had seen a 15 per cent increase in inquiries from the eurozone in the past few months.
Don’t miss out on the deals. Visit SaveMoneyOnCars.co.uk to find the best prices in Europe on luxury brands!
Check out reviews on Aston Martin models and Porsche models on RoadTestReports.co.uk.
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Friday, November 14th, 2008
Aston Martin Racing has released the 2009 specification Vantage GT4 based on Aston Martin’s new 4.7 litre V8 Vantage. The new Vantage GT4 builds on the success of its predecessor, the 4.3 litre Vantage N24.
Aston Martin road tests and car reviews
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S full road test report
The Vantage GT4 has been under development for six months and was unveiled in Dubai this week by Aston Martin chairman, David Richards, and tested extensively at the Dubai Autodrome.
The car is an evolution of the N24 with the larger capacity engine being more responsive with increased torque throughout the rev range. The suspension has been retuned to enhance the handling, including modified front uprights to give increased camber. The 2009 Vantage GT4 also has larger front brake discs with revised cooling.
“In the last two years, the N24 has proved to be one of the most successful cars in its class; winning the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year, as well as several FIA GT4 races,” said David Richards. “We have built on this success to develop the Vantage GT4, a competitive racing car for professional and semi-professional drivers, but also a forgiving car which will appeal to enthusiasts who wish to use it for track days and club racing.”
The Vantage GT4 is built to FIA GT4 regulations and is eligible to compete in the following series: FIA GT4 European Cup; British GT4 Championship; Britcar Endurance Series; German GT4 Championship; Dutch Supercar Challenge; Dutch GT4 Championship; VLN Endurance Championship at the Nurburgring; Australian Endurance Championship; the American SCCA Championship; and the Aston Martin Owners Club Race Series.
The Vantage GT4 comes with either a manual or sportshift transmission. It is priced from £96,645 and is available to order now with delivery in January 2009.
Aston Martin Racing is now the only manufacturer to produce cars in each of the GT classes: GT1, GT2, GT3 and GT4.
The Vantage GT4
The GT4 is based on the latest 4.7 litre V8 Vantage and is hand built by Aston Martin Racing.
The 4.7 litre eight cylinder engine has an 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.
The Vantage GT4 can be supplied with either a six speed manual, or a Sportshift transmission with paddle controls. Both versions have a Valeo twin-plate cerametallic racing clutch and lightweight flywheel to complete the powertrain specification.
At 1,330 kg the Vantage GT4 is 300 kg lighter than the standard car. This has been achieved through a range of weight reduction measures. The interior trim is removed with the exception of the facia moulding, which is re-trimmed in Alcantara, and the console and door casings are replaced by new lightweight mouldings.
The chassis has been fitted with a high-strength steel rollcage and Recaro competition seats. A suede-trimmed steering wheel with a quick release mechanism is also fitted as standard. The Vantage GT4’s safety features are completed with a Sabelt sixpoint safety harness with a push-button release and Lifeline Zero 360 gas extinguisher system.
The V8 Vantage road car’s suspension has required only minor adjustments for optimal track performance. These include larger diameter front and rear anti-roll bars and adjustable ride height aluminium dampers, as well as single rate, flat ground springs with separate helper springs. The front subframe is modified for extra camber and castor. Cast magnesium front and rear wheels are standard fit with high performance Yokohama A048-R tyres. The brakes are uprated with Pagid RS 29 race pads.
As further endorsement of the standard V8 Vantage underframe, the active safety systems are directly carried over to the Vantage GT4, including: dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, providing reassurance and enhanced control in slippery conditions.
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