Autoblog

BREAKING: Top Gear not dead [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Aston Martin, UK, Celebrities

Jeremy Clarkson waxes euphoric about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above to watch the video

Internet rumors are a funny thing. Back during the last presidential campaign, 10% of voters polled thought Barack Obama was a Muslim... until his campaign staffers came out and denied he was a Muslim. Then 14% of us thought he was a Muslim. And you can see the same thing happening with another bout of "Top Gear is dead!" rumormongering. Seriously folks, the "TG is dead" gossip that accompanies the end of every single season is getting just as old as "Will Brett Favre come out of retirement?" Both have surpassed the point of story and are now borderline ritual. Actually, it's looking like this year, Favre's staying on the farm down in Mississippi. Which makes the Top Gear rumors even more annoying.

The last segment of the last episode of Season 13 showed an uncharacteristically toned down Clarkson waxing extra-poetic about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and how he fears that because of environmental worries, the busted global economy and the particularly British "War On Speed," that the days of the supercar are finished. As a result, he seems a bit sad. So sad, in fact, that many around the globe (and especially those at their keyboards) started in with the inevitable, "Top Gear is dead" refrain. Well, that and James May might have been seen crossing a street not wearing any shoes. But guess what? Everyone's favorite car show is coming back for a 14th season.

According to both The Sun and some website called Top Gear, Jezza, Hammond and May are going no where. Says Clarkson, "I can assure everyone I'll be back in November doing Top Gear. We're filming the next series and already have several things in the can. I couldn't think of anything I'd want to do more." So you heard it here first - Top Gear Season 14 starts in November. Amazing what a bit of research can do, no?

Speaking of which - we unearthed Clarkson's actual review of the V12 Vantage. And much unlike the three sentences he said about the car for the now infamous segment, Jeremy didn't like Aston Martin very much at all. See, Jeremy thinks that the real top Aston is the DBS. But it costs $269,000. Now, the V12 Vantage goes for $209,000, but is the new car 99% of the DBS for $60,000 less? Says Jezza, "I was pondering this earlier on today while blasting down a sun-flickered Cotswold road in my wife's 4.7-liter V8 Vantage convertible. And then the obvious answer hit me: The car I'd buy is the one I was in." Indeed. For those interested parties, the notorious video is posted after the jump.

Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

[Sources: The Sun; Top Gear]

Continue reading BREAKING: Top Gear not dead [w/VIDEO]

BREAKING: Top Gear not dead [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Aston Martin V12 Vantage, DBS Volante

Drew Phillips — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Aston Martin

Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin makes some of the most visually appealing cars on the road today. Their latest offerings, the DBS Volante and the V12 Vantage, continue the company's tradition of elegant styling combined with V12 power. We generally can't get enough photos of either car, and fortunately for us, Aston has released a plethora of new pictures of both cars. Check out both high-res galleries below.

Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Gallery: Aston Martin DBS Volante

[Source: Aston Martin]

Pics Aplenty: Aston Martin V12 Vantage, DBS Volante originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston to field half-dozen V12 Vantage racers at Nürburgring 24

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 23 May 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Aston Martin

Click above for a high-res gallery of the V12 Vantage preparing for the Nürburgring 24-hour race

It started with one lone V8 Vantage, dubbed the N24, that ran the Nürburgring 24-hour race in 2006. Last year, that first racer, a yellow car dubbed "Rose," won class honors in the race. This year, it will be joined by five more Vantages, one of them being the 510 horsepower V12 Vantage introduced in Geneva earlier this year.

Only three of the six cars will be factory efforts. The slightly modified V12 Vantage will be piloted by Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez and three co-drivers, and "Rose" will be driven by another team of three. Privateer entrants will be headed by Richard Kramer, an Austrian Aston dealer whose Vantage N24 is being supported by the factory.

You can read the full press release after the jump, and check out live action from the weekend's qualifying and race at the ADAC site.

Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage at the Ring

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston to field half-dozen V12 Vantage racers at Nürburgring 24

Aston to field half-dozen V12 Vantage racers at Nürburgring 24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston gets social, releases 20 new pics of V12 Vantage on Facebook

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Supercars, Aston Martin

Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above for an image gallery

Reviews of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage are beginning to pop up around the interwebs and Aston decided to hype up the first drives by releasing an additional 20 photos of its new 510-hp GT through... Facebook. The real-world shots show a few more details of the hopped-up Vantage, including the racy carbon fiber hood vents, suede-lined seats and a eye-catching blood-red interior. Unfortunately, the V12 Vantage isn't headed Stateside, but rest assured, our non-essential organs are finding their way onto Craigslist for an opportunity to drive the new sports coupe abroad. Until that happens, check the gallery below for plenty of beauty shots.

Gallery: Aston Martin V2 Vantage on Facebook

Aston gets social, releases 20 new pics of V12 Vantage on Facebook originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Convertible, Supercars, Aston Martin

Aston Martin knows how to crank out the variants like few others automakers. With essentially two model lines in production, the British sportscar marque always seems to have another new model to debut. And the next looks to be the V12 Vantage Roadster.

Joining the limited-edition V12 Vantage coupe and its endurance racing counterpart, the muscle-bound drop-top should carry over the 510-hp 6.0-liter twelve, but trade a couple of ticks off the coupe's 4.2-second 0-60 time in exchange for the open-air experience. With barely-disguised test mules already spied, sources suggest the V12 Vantage Roadster is being prepared for its debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

[Source: WCF]

Spy Shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin taking on the Nürburgring 24-Hour enduro in V12 Vantage

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Aston Martin

Aston Martin V12 Vantage - Click above for a high-res image

Aston Martin is returning to the grid for the 37th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race, and joining "Rose" - the yellow V8 Vantage that's clocked over 20,000 miles on the track and campaigned in every enduro since 2006 - will be Aston's latest model, the V12 Vantage.

According to Aston, the Nordschleife-bound V12 didn't need much in the way of modifications to make it ready for race day. The Vantage underwent a weight reduction program primarily comprised of ditching its luxurious interior in favor of a full roll cage and the required safety equipment, along with a re-tuned suspension and Pirelli P Zero Circuit Racing slicks. Otherwise, the 510-hp V12 powerplant remains unchanged and the bodywork is the same as the production model due to go on sale later this year.

This will be AM's fourth consecutive campaign at the Nürburgring, and joining some of the company's engineering team behind the wheel will be Aston Martin's CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez. The race gets underway on May 23, and if you want more information about the race, you can check out the ADAC website and Aston's press release below the fold.

Continue reading Aston Martin taking on the Nürburgring 24-Hour enduro in V12 Vantage

Aston Martin taking on the Nürburgring 24-Hour enduro in V12 Vantage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Aston Martin V12 Vantage packed with power

Chris Shunk — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Aston Martin

Click above for high-res gallery of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage

The V8 Vantage is a true beauty, and it's more powerful than ever with it's new 4.7L V8. That may be enough grunt for a lesser GT, but the Vantage is getting even more pony power later this year. The upgraded V12 Vantage will receive Aston Martin's 6.0L V12 engine capable of 510 hp and 420 lb-ft. With the recent horsepower wars, it seems as though you can get 510 hp anywhere, but the V12 Vantage is more than just the world's most beautiful sports coupe. Ginormous ceramic brakes, liberal use of carbon fiber and vastly stiffened spring rates ensure that the V12 Vantage is more than just a gussied up version of its V8-powered sibling.

If you're wealthy and looking to score this V12 beauty, you'll have to wait until after the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May. Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez announced that a V12 Vantage modified only with safety equipment would run the world's most famous track before the British supercar is given the go-ahead for production. After seeing the V12 Vantage in person on the floor of the Geneva Motor Show, we're guessing this twelve-pot Aston will be worth the wait.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Aston Martin V12 Vantage packed with power

Geneva 2009: Aston Martin V12 Vantage packed with power originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Persona Non Grata: Aston Martin V12 Vantage won't make it Stateside

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Aston Martin

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Dropping big engines into small sportscars is as American as apple pie, but the British are equally adept. Proof came yesterday in the form of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, revealed ahead of its pre-production debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Only 1000 examples will be made, but unfortunately none of them will be making the transatlantic voyage to these shores (not legally, anyway). After speaking with a member of the U.S. Aston team last night, we discovered there are some problems with the overstuffed front end passing U.S. crash tests, and the airbag-less optional Alcantara-wrapped carbon-Kevlar bucket seats are completely out of the question, making the Nardo-verified 190-mph supercar persona non grata on these shores.

Disappointing though that may be, the V12 Vantage is only one of four anticipated new launches from Aston Martin this year. We've already seen the first official shots of the Rapide four-door coupe, the DBS convertible is tipped to bow at Geneva alongside the V12 Vantage, and despite economic conditions, Aston is still said to be going ahead with the launch of the first model in its revived Lagonda line (to say nothing of the full reveal of the One-77.) The DOT can't keep them all out... can they?

Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Persona Non Grata: Aston Martin V12 Vantage won't make it Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:17:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Aston Martin

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage has arrived and yes, you want one. Evolving the styling and engineering exercise Aston unveiled in 2007 and set for a Geneva Motor Show debut, the blokes Gaydon claim the V12 Vantage is the most driver-focused sports car the automaker has ever produced.

Power is provided by a 6.0-liter V12 putting out 510 hp at 6,500 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,750 rpm. The Vantage's new-found grunt is sent through a carbon fiber driveshaft to a rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox. The transmission benefits from an oil cooler and a new rear diffuser helps cool the standard limited slip differential. Aston claims a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds and top speed of 190 mph.

Independent double wishbones are mounted fore and aft, while six-piston calipers squeeze 398mm (15.67-inch) carbon ceramic discs in front and four-piston units clamp down on 360 mm (14.17-inch) ceramic rotors in the rear. The front wheels measure 19x9-inches and the rears 19x11-inches, each wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber sized 255/35 and 295/30, respectively.

Inside, carbon fiber door pulls join a host of standard features, while lightweight, carbon-kevlar seats, personalized sill plates and a premium audio system are optional.

The V12 Vantage features spring rates 80% stiffer in front and 45% stiffer in the rear, allowing the coupe to hit up to 1.3 lateral gs. The V12 mill weighs almost 200 pounds more than the V8, but after the Aston got done tweaking the Vantage, the overall increase was a paltry 110 pounds. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect each of the 1,000 V12 Vantages Aston plans to produce to fetch a princely sum. All the details are available in the press release below the fold.

Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed

Geneva Preview: Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Noah Joseph — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:42:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Aston Martin

Aston Martin shocked the industry when it took the wraps off of the baby-blue V12 Vantage RS concept back in December. The idea was revolutionary yet stunningly simple at the same time: take the lowest car in the line-up and turn it into the highest. Would Aston build it? We all hoped so, and our hopes were vindicated with spy shots of test mules running developmental laps around the race track.

From the latest batch, it appears that all those louvers on the hood will remain - a necessity for cooling the 600-hp V12 that is sitting where a 380-hp V8 usually resides - but the rear wing seems to have been reduced, with a big carbon-fiber diffuser taking over the balance (literally) of the downforce requirements. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the test mule is also wearing the carbon-ceramic disc brakes from the current top-of-the-line DBS, while insiders expect the imminently desirable supercar to bear an equally breathtaking pricetag at double that of the base V8 version. Worth it? We're betting yes.

[Source: NextAutos]

Spy Shots: Aston Martin V12 Vantage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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