Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Aston Martin named Britain's coolest brand yet again]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/aston-martin-named-britains-coolest-brand-yet-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/aston-martin-named-britains-coolest-brand-yet-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/aston-martin-named-britains-coolest-brand-yet-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aston Martin logo

Let there be no mistake made about it: Aston Martin is not only the coolest automotive marque, but also the coolest brand overall. At least in the United Kingdom.

For the fifth time in six years, the British automaker has topped the list compiled by the CoolBrands Council. The annual contest starts with a list of some 10,000 brands, then whittles it down to a 1,500-name "shortlist" before the top 500 are identified.

Near the top of the list were brands like Apple and Bang & Olufsen (which just happens to furnish the audio systems in many of Aston's models), but they were all beaten out for the top spot yet again by the House that David Brown Built. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Aston Martin named Britain's coolest brand yet again

Aston Martin named Britain's coolest brand yet again originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martincool brandscoolbrandscoolbrands councilcoolest brandThu, 06 Oct 2011 08:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20072126/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/06/aston-martin-named-britains-coolest-brand-yet-again/20072126/article-detail.xml 20072126 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/aston-icon_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/aston-icon.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin can't build Cygnet fast enough to keep up with demand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/aston-martin-cant-build-cygnet-fast-enough-to-keep-up-with-dema/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/aston-martin-cant-build-cygnet-fast-enough-to-keep-up-with-dema/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/aston-martin-cant-build-cygnet-fast-enough-to-keep-up-with-dema/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aston Martin Cygnet

Call it practical, call it luxurious, or call it a thinly veiled dilution of a legendary marque. -Whatever you want to call the Aston Martin Cygnet, at the end of the day, there are apparently a sizable number of customers lining up to drop the approximate equivalent of $50,000 on the tarted-up Toyota iQ. So many, in fact, that Autocar has learned that Aston can hardly keep its supply up with the demand.

The thing is that Aston takes its time building each Cygnet, receiving the chassis from Toyota and trimming them out to order to suitably Aston Martin levels of sumptuous fit and finish. Which sounds nice and all, but apparently customers are less keen to wait to have theirs built than they would be to simply drive one home from the dealership on the spot.

As far as we can recall, Cygnet models were only supposed to be sold to owners of other Aston Martin vehicles, so presumably this demand isn't just the result of regular (if well-heeled) consumers deciding to trade in their current car over something like a Mini Cooper Goodwood.

Aston Martin can't build Cygnet fast enough to keep up with demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin cygnetcygnetiqscion iqtoyota iqWed, 21 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20048416/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/21/aston-martin-cant-build-cygnet-fast-enough-to-keep-up-with-dema/20048416/article-detail.xml 20048416 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/01-cygnet_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/01-cygnet.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin One-77 stars in new episode of NatGeo's <i>Megafactories</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/aston-martin-one-77-stars-in-new-episode-of-natgeos-megafact/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/aston-martin-one-77-stars-in-new-episode-of-natgeos-megafact/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/aston-martin-one-77-stars-in-new-episode-of-natgeos-megafact/#commentsFiled under: ,

Aston Martin One-77 assembly

The factories where supercars are made can often be as impressive, if not more so, than the vehicles they produce. Unfortunately few of us ever get to see them, remote as they often are from our locales and generally not open to the public. That's where Megafactories comes in.

The National Geographic program - broadcast Stateside as Ultimate Factories - regularly gains access to these plants, and the next episode is heading to Gaydon in Warwickshire, England, to take us behind the scenes of the dedicated facility where Aston Martin makes its top of the line model: the One-77.

There, they'll uncover the thousand-square-meter open-plan factory, the 27 technicians who work there and the 77 vehicles they're toiling to produce. It promises to be a fascinating watch, to say the least, when it airs this weekend to kick off the new series in the UK, but you can catch a little preview with the video after the jump, where you'll also find the press release - and don't forget the fresh crop of high-resolution images in the gallery.

Continue reading Aston Martin One-77 stars in new episode of NatGeo's Megafactories

Aston Martin One-77 stars in new episode of NatGeo's Megafactories originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin one-77megafactoriesnat geonatgeonational geographicone-77televisiontvultimate factoriesvideoThu, 01 Sep 2011 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20032570/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/01/aston-martin-one-77-stars-in-new-episode-of-natgeos-megafact/20032570/article-detail.xml 20032570 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/webone-77-assembly_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/webone-77-assembly.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin to present roadgoing production V12 Zagato in Frankfurt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/aston-martin-to-present-roadgoing-production-v12-zagato-in-frank/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/aston-martin-to-present-roadgoing-production-v12-zagato-in-frank/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/25/aston-martin-to-present-roadgoing-production-v12-zagato-in-frank/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

When Aston Martin rolls in to Frankfurt next month for the first auto show of the season, it will have the largest display the company has ever mounted at a car show. And among them will be a roadgoing version of the V12 Zagato that will see production.

Well, almost, but not quite. Aston will actually be displaying two examples of the coachbuilt special in Frankfurt, which are, as best we can tell, the only two it's built to date. They're called Zig and Zag, and they're the two vehicles it raced at the Nürburgring to show what they were made of. Zig was built specifically to race and will be displayed in its full competition trim. Zag is the vehicle that wowed the crowds and the judges at Villa d'Este and was then converted to full race spec as well.

That second vehicle will now be converted back - in appearance, at least - to roadgoing trim to give us a glimpse at what the half-million-dollar coachbuilt supercar will look like when it reaches customers' garages. It'll also be the first time the car is shown at a major auto show, although we recently spent some time with it at Pebble Beach.

For a closer look at what to expect of the roadgoing version, take a gander at the pair of images released and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Aston Martin to present roadgoing production V12 Zagato in Frankfurt

Aston Martin to present roadgoing production V12 Zagato in Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 frankfurtastonaston martinaston martin v12 zagatofrankfurtfrankfurt motor showv12 zagatozagatoThu, 25 Aug 2011 14:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20026568/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/25/aston-martin-to-present-roadgoing-production-v12-zagato-in-frank/20026568/article-detail.xml 20026568 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/webv12-zagato-green_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/webv12-zagato-green.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin shows off new Vantage GT3 racer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/24/aston-martin-shows-off-new-vantage-gt3-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/24/aston-martin-shows-off-new-vantage-gt3-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/24/aston-martin-shows-off-new-vantage-gt3-racer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3

Recent endurance races have seen Aston Martin fielding cars at every level of competition, and the British sportscar manufacturer isn't about to give up its strategy of proliferation.

The proof? A few months back, we brought you word that Aston was planning on replacing its DBRS9 with a new Vantage-based racer for the GT3 category to slot in between the GT2 and GT4-spec Vantages. And here it is.

Based on the V12 Vantage road car, the Vantage GT3 packs a dry-sump 6.0-liter V12 with 600 horsepower mated via carbon-fiber propshaft to an Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission, equipped with competition-spec ABS and traction control for those wet laps around the Nordschleife.

Of course, the VLN Nürburgring series isn't the only championship for which the new Vantage GT3 is eligible, designed as it has been from the outset to race in the FIA GT3 Championship, ADAC Masters, Blancpain Endurance Series and others.

Deliveries are scheduled to commence early next year with a price tag of £298,000 - $489,000 USD by today's rates. Even if you haven't got that kind of cash on hand, you can check out Aston's latest in the press release after the jump and the high-res image gallery.

Continue reading Aston Martin shows off new Vantage GT3 racer

Aston Martin shows off new Vantage GT3 racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin racingaston martin v12 vantageaston martin v12 vantage gt3aston martin vantage gt3gt3v12 vantagevantagevantage gt3Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20025504/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/24/aston-martin-shows-off-new-vantage-gt3-racer/20025504/article-detail.xml 20025504 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/vantage-gt3-web2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/vantage-gt3-web2.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin to launch updated DBS late next year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/14/aston-martin-to-launch-updated-dbs-late-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/14/aston-martin-to-launch-updated-dbs-late-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/14/aston-martin-to-launch-updated-dbs-late-next-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2008 Aston Martin DBS
2008 Aston Martin DBS - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Aston Martin DBS has only been on the market now for five years, but the DB9 on which it's based has been around for eight. That's a fairly long life-cycle for any car, but it seems the DB9/DBS will have to soldier on a bit longer. Its replacement - based on new architecture - isn't due to arrive until 2015 at the earliest. In the meantime, Aston is planning a fairly comprehensive facelift for the DB9 family.

The changes are tipped to arrive first on the higher-end DBS before trickling down to the rest of the family. Design touches are expected to be borrowed from the One-77 supercar, bringing the influence of the company's design boss Marek Reichman to overshadow that of his predecessor, Ian Callum, now at Jaguar.

Among those touches are expected to be a new fascia that, surprisingly, ditches the company's trademark shape in favor of a new single grille opening, coupled with hood vents and sharper lines all around.

A refreshed interior is also expected, as is an upgraded engine with about 20 more horsepower to draw on from the 5.9-liter V12, up to 530 hp in DBS trim. Expect the revised DBS to arrive sometime late next year, with the new DB9 to follow shortly thereafter.

Aston Martin to launch updated DBS late next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 aston martin dbsastonaston martinaston martin db9aston martin dbsdb9dbsThu, 14 Jul 2011 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19991207/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/14/aston-martin-to-launch-updated-dbs-late-next-year/19991207/article-detail.xml 19991207 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/asonmartindbsoff010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/asonmartindbsoff010.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin putting V12 Zagato into limited production with £330,000 price tag]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/08/aston-martin-putting-v12-zagato-into-limited-production-with-33/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/08/aston-martin-putting-v12-zagato-into-limited-production-with-33/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/08/aston-martin-putting-v12-zagato-into-limited-production-with-33/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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

It's official, ladies and gents: the Aston Martin V12 Zagato is entering production. Still, we wouldn't expect to see one down at the local dealership anytime soon. That's because, as expected, only 150 examples will be made, each fetching a whopping £330,000. That's before taxes, and by current conversion rates, it comes in around $525,000.

To put that into perspective, consider the following: over in the UK, Lamborghini's flagship Murcielago LP670-4 SV cost about £220k (roughly $350k), the new Aventador that succeeds it, slightly less. The Ferrari 599 GTO - its current top-of-the-line model - goes for £305,000 (around $490k).

In other words, the latest Aston is more expensive than just about anything this side of the seven-figure league populated by the likes of the Bugatti Veyron, Pagani Huayra, and Aston's own One-77, which stands as the only offering in the company's range that's still more expensive than the Zagato. Everything else is less than half the price being asked for this latest coachbuilt special.

Those are some big figures, but the V12 Zagato is definitely big on beauty. Before it hits those lucky few dealerships, we're expecting to see a few more road-car compromises to the almost-race-ready concours show car and the competition-spec version that subsequently tackled the Nürburgring. You know, stuff like a full interior (likely to be swathed in Alcantara), electric windows instead of these sliding plastic jobs and maybe a nose that'll be able to get up your driveway without losing its carbon-fiber splitter. So watch this space for those pre-production photos and check out the existing galleries in the meantime, along with the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Aston Martin putting V12 Zagato into limited production with £330,000 price tag

Aston Martin putting V12 Zagato into limited production with £330,000 price tag originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin v12 zagatov12 zagatozagatoFri, 08 Jul 2011 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19986304/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/08/aston-martin-putting-v12-zagato-into-limited-production-with-33/19986304/article-detail.xml 19986304 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/aston-zagato-villadeste_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/aston-zagato-villadeste.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin to offer 150 examples of the V12 Zagato at £330,000 apiece]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/04/aston-martin-to-offer-150-examples-of-the-v12-zagato-at-330-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/04/aston-martin-to-offer-150-examples-of-the-v12-zagato-at-330-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/04/aston-martin-to-offer-150-examples-of-the-v12-zagato-at-330-000/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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

Few collaborations have set the presses and Intertubes alight quite like the Aston Martin V12 Zagato. Rekindling a five-decade-old partnership, the British purveyor of luxury GTs and the Italian design house unveiled their latest collaboration on the shores of Lake Como to rave reviews. And keen to show it's not just a pretty face, Aston Martin then took the beauty-and-the-beast machine to the Nürburgring to race.

Just the other day, we brought you news of Aston's apparently inadvertent (or decidedly low-key) confirmation that the V12 Zagato would reach the market, however limited in production. Now, reports indicate just how few will be built - and how expensive they'll be.

According to Dutch publication AutoWeek.nl, Aston will build only 150 examples of the V12 Zagato, each with a price tag of £330,000. If accurate, that would place the Zagato at nearly twice the purchase price of the DBS, and about two and a half times as expensive as the V12 Vantage on which it's based.

By either account - direct conversion or relative price from Aston's U.S. line-up - that comes out to about $500,000 based on current conversion rates. Whether the rare beauty of the Zagato is worth a pair of top-of-the-line production Astons is open for debate, but we have no doubt Gaydon will have little trouble selling every last one.

Aston Martin to offer 150 examples of the V12 Zagato at £330,000 apiece originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin v12 zagatov12 zagatozagatoMon, 04 Jul 2011 17:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19982854/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/04/aston-martin-to-offer-150-examples-of-the-v12-zagato-at-330-000/19982854/article-detail.xml 19982854 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/01-aston-v12zagato_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/01-aston-v12zagato.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin subtly confirms production for V12 Zagato]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/03/aston-martin-subtly-confirms-production-for-v12-zagato/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/03/aston-martin-subtly-confirms-production-for-v12-zagato/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/03/aston-martin-subtly-confirms-production-for-v12-zagato/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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

Take a look at Aston Martin's website and you may notice a new model listed in its portfolio. Slotted in between the One-77 and the DBS sits the V12 Zagato, effectively confirming the new model's place in the company's production lineup and accompanied, in the fourth slide showcasing the model, by the statement "only a strictly limited run of road going cars will be built".

The V12 Zagato is based on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, but features fresh bodywork penned by the namesake Italian design house. The car celebrates of fifty years of collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato, dating back to the original DB4 GT.

Following the debut of the concept at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in May and the model's racing debut at the Nürburgring, this is the closest thing to an actual production confirmation we've seen so far. Given where Aston has placed the model among its existing products, a very high purchase price is probable. We look forward to further official confirmation regarding the V12 Zagato's market availability.

Aston Martin subtly confirms production for V12 Zagato originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin v12 zagatov12 zagatozagatoSun, 03 Jul 2011 18:06:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19982353/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/03/aston-martin-subtly-confirms-production-for-v12-zagato/19982353/article-detail.xml 19982353 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/web01-aston-v12zagato_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/web01-aston-v12zagato.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin Experience iPhone App]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/aston-martin-experience-iphone-app-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/aston-martin-experience-iphone-app-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/aston-martin-experience-iphone-app-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aston Actually Makes An App For Drivers

Aston Martin Experience App
Aston Martin Experience App - Click above for high-res image gallery

Automaker apps are a dime-a-dozen. But unless you're shopping for a new car or a hyper-obsessive brand devotee, they're about as entertaining as a trip to the service department. So when Aston Martin put out its Experience iPhone app, we weren't entirely enthused. Nor were we ready to shell out $5.99 for another me-too marketing ploy. But then we took a closer look.

In addition to the standard model listings and engine/exhaust sound player (surprise! the One-77 doesn't sound as sweet through a puny set of phone speakers), Aston upped the app game by including a video function that can record your drive, a telemetry display that shows your speed and Gs, and a database of the world's best roads. That last part sold us.

So we called up the crew from Aston and made a pitch. Let us test out the app on one of the routes in North America. All you have to do is supply the car. Two weeks later, Autoblog Director of Photography Drew Phillips and I are blasting up the Pacific Coast Highway in the world's largest iPhone accessory: A 2011 Aston Martin Rapide.

Continue reading Aston Martin Experience iPhone App

Aston Martin Experience iPhone App originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 aston martin rapideastonaston iphone appaston martin experience appaston martin iphone appaston-martinfeaturediphonerapidereviewreviewsMon, 27 Jun 2011 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19976275/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/27/aston-martin-experience-iphone-app-review/19976275/article-detail.xml 19976275 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/01-aston-martin-experience-app-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/01-aston-martin-experience-app-630op.jpg <![CDATA[Colette edition makes Aston Martin Cygnet even more exclusive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/24/colette-edition-makes-aston-martin-cygnet-even-more-exclusive/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/24/colette-edition-makes-aston-martin-cygnet-even-more-exclusive/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/24/colette-edition-makes-aston-martin-cygnet-even-more-exclusive/#commentsFiled under:

Aston Martin Cygnet by Colette
Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette - Click above for high-res image gallery

Bringing in fashion designers to outfit premium hatchbacks seems to be all the rage these days, whether it's a one-off like the latest Life Ball Mini, a Fiat 500 decked out by Diesel or any of the dozens of examples in between. Now, we've got one more to throw into the mix.

Teaming up with French fashion house Colette, the Aston Martin Works Tailored department has outfitted a limited run of 14 Cygnets with such special touches as a silver paint job with highlights, hand-crafted stainless steel badges and a chocolate brown interior with blue leather throw pillows (though what we'd need those for in the back of a city car is, of course, beyond us).

Just in case the limited availability weren't enough to keep this special edition exclusive, the €48,995 ($70,000 based on current exchange rates) price tag ought to do the trick. So if the Cygnet itself is already a gussied-up Toyota iQ, does this amount to gilding a lily or slapping lipstick on a pig? We'll let you decide from the full details in the press release after the jump and the images in the high-resolution gallery,

Continue reading Colette edition makes Aston Martin Cygnet even more exclusive

Colette edition makes Aston Martin Cygnet even more exclusive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin cygnet colettecolettecygnetFri, 24 Jun 2011 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19974535/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/24/colette-edition-makes-aston-martin-cygnet-even-more-exclusive/19974535/article-detail.xml 19974535 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/web-aston-cygnet-colette_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/web-aston-cygnet-colette.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin cutting Rapide production amidst slow sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/16/aston-martin-cutting-rapide-production-amidst-slow-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/16/aston-martin-cutting-rapide-production-amidst-slow-sales/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/16/aston-martin-cutting-rapide-production-amidst-slow-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2010 Aston Martin Rapide
2010 Aston Martin Rapide - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you read the reports of Aston Martin shifting production of its Rapide from its Magna Steyr contract facility in Austria to its own plant in England, and wondered how the company could absorb another assembly line, we could have our answer right here.

According to reports, Aston is preparing to significantly cut production of the Rapide in response to lagging sales. The four-door Aston was planned in 2007 for 2000 units per year, but shortly after that, the global luxury market collapsed, and sales prospects for the four-door coupe began to dwindle.

As a result, production of the Rapide could be reduced to just 1,250 units per year, or even further. And if one model's sales are dwindling, we might assume that some of the others - such as the Vantage or DB9/DBS lines - could be cutting back production as well, leaving excess capacity at the company's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Whether demand is there or not, sources estimate that the premature termination of the Magna Steyr deal could end up costing Aston as much as £10 million - that's over $16 million at current exchange rates.

Aston Martin cutting Rapide production amidst slow sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martin rapideaston-martingaydonmagna steyrrapideThu, 16 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19968719/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/16/aston-martin-cutting-rapide-production-amidst-slow-sales/19968719/article-detail.xml 19968719 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/web03amrapidereview2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/web03amrapidereview2011.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin squeezes in an extra race for the V12 Zagato at the Nürburgring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/aston-martin-squeezes-in-an-extra-race-for-the-v12-zagato-at-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/aston-martin-squeezes-in-an-extra-race-for-the-v12-zagato-at-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/09/aston-martin-squeezes-in-an-extra-race-for-the-v12-zagato-at-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nürburgring - Click above for high-res image gallery

There are plenty of things to admire about a company like Aston Martin, and not the least of them is that it loves racing as much as it loves making sports cars.

Take its latest product, for example. After its debut at the Villa d'Este concours, Aston announced that it would take the V12 Zagato for a short race at the Nürburgring and then a full 24-hour assault later this month. The first one already took place, and the second one hasn't rolled around yet, but Aston has already found time to fit in an extra race in between.

After the solitary entry failed to finish the last round of the VLN series it contested at the 'Ring, Aston will now field two entries at this weekend's race. One team will be headed by the company's CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, the other by Chris Porritt (the chief engineer on the One-77 project, along with Evo magazine's Richard Meaden).

The race will take place over four hours from noon local time on Saturday, which you can follow on the company's Twitter feed. But for a closer look right now, you can check out the gallery of images of the V12 Zagato from its previous encounter with the Green Hell, along with the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Aston Martin squeezes in an extra race for the V12 Zagato at the Nürburgring

Aston Martin squeezes in an extra race for the V12 Zagato at the Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martin v12 zagatoaston-martinnürburgringnurburgringv12 zagatovlnzagatoThu, 09 Jun 2011 19:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19962717/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/09/aston-martin-squeezes-in-an-extra-race-for-the-v12-zagato-at-the/19962717/article-detail.xml 19962717 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/web630-zagato-ring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/web630-zagato-ring.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin Rapide S undergoing testing on the 'Ring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/aston-martin-rapide-s-undergoing-testing-in-england/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/aston-martin-rapide-s-undergoing-testing-in-england/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/aston-martin-rapide-s-undergoing-testing-in-england/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Aston Martin Rapide S spy shots
Aston Martin Rapide S spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Word on the street is that Aston Martin is developing a faster, more powerful version of its Rapide four-door, a rumor fueled by new spy shots snapped on Germany's infamous Nürburgring. The camouflaged prototype pictured above appears to pack a revised front end and tail, with larger intakes up front and a lip spoiler and reshaped bumper around back.

Underneath the revised fascias, sources expect to find the 510-horsepower V12 from the DBS to upgrade from the DB9-spec 470-hp mill already in place in the "standard" Rapide. Couple this with carbon-ceramic brakes and revised suspension, and the Rapide S is starting to shape up as a real barnstormer.

In short, if the existing Rapide is a four-door DB9, expect the Rapide S to come in as a four-door DBS - suitable for carrying 007 and not just one, but three Bond girls to their next mission or exotic locale.

Aston Martin Rapide S undergoing testing on the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin rapideaston martin rapide saston rapiderapiderapide sspy photosspy picsspy shotsThu, 26 May 2011 13:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19950786/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/26/aston-martin-rapide-s-undergoing-testing-in-england/19950786/article-detail.xml 19950786 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/04-aston-martin-rapide-s-spy-shots630opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/04-aston-martin-rapide-s-spy-shots630opt.jpg <![CDATA[Audi R18 TDI to debut at Spa while Aston Martin watches from the pit lane]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/01/audi-r18-tdi-to-debut-at-spa-while-aston-martin-watches-from-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/01/audi-r18-tdi-to-debut-at-spa-while-aston-martin-watches-from-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/01/audi-r18-tdi-to-debut-at-spa-while-aston-martin-watches-from-the/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi R18 TDI
Audi R18 TDI (above) and Aston Martin AMR-One (below right) - Click either image for high-res galleries

There's plenty to be excited about in this year's Le Mans racing season, and the new Audi R18 TDI arguably ranks chief among them. Audi's new fixed-roof racer will make its debut at the Spa 1000km race next weekend, showing for the first time what it can do against a competitive field ahead of June's 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"Although we tested at Le Mans recently, we'll learn a lot more about the new Audi R18 TDI and also how it fares against the competition at Spa," said Audi's double champion Allan McNish Aston Martin AMR-Onein preparation for the Belgian endurance race. "The 20-minute qualifying session on Friday afternoon will be the first time when we'll see the true performance of all of the new cars because it will be the first time when everybody is on the same playing field together at the same time."

That may not exactly be the case, however, because while Audi's chief rival Peugeot is sure to be mounting its own challenge, word has it that Aston Martin will sit this one out. The British team is also fielding a new racer in the AMR-One, but rather than take the opportunity to put its new LMP through the paces in a real racing scenario as Audi will, Aston's focus is on testing the car before the main event at La Sarthe. Follow the jump for official press releases from both teams.


Gallery: 2011 Audi R18 TDI (final livery)


Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin AMR-One

2011 Aston Martin AMR-One front three quarter2011 Aston Martin AMR-One2011 Aston Martin AMR-One side2011 Aston Martin AMR-One rear2011 Aston Martin AMR-One close

[Sources: Audi, Aston Martin]

Continue reading Audi R18 TDI to debut at Spa while Aston Martin watches from the pit lane

Audi R18 TDI to debut at Spa while Aston Martin watches from the pit lane originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amr-oneastonaston martinaston martin amr-oneaston martin racingaudiaudi r18 tdilmpr18r18 tdispaspa 1000kmSun, 01 May 2011 12:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19928706/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/01/audi-r18-tdi-to-debut-at-spa-while-aston-martin-watches-from-the/19928706/article-detail.xml 19928706 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/audi-r18-tdi-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/audi-r18-tdi-630.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Aston Martin confirms Lagonda relaunch with high-end SUVs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/report-aston-martin-confirms-lagonda-relaunch-with-high-end-suv/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/report-aston-martin-confirms-lagonda-relaunch-with-high-end-suv/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/report-aston-martin-confirms-lagonda-relaunch-with-high-end-suv/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2009 Aston Martin Lagonda concept
2009 Lagonda Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

As far as automakers go, Lagonda has something of a checkered past. Founded in 1906 by a former Scottish-American opera singer, Lagonda built its own cars in the UK up until WWII, after which it was bought by Aston Martin.

The joint company only sporadically used the Lagonda name over the course of subsequent decades, building the Lagonda Rapide in the early 60s, the knife-edged Aston Martin Lagonda sedan in the 70s and 80s, a series of sedans built on Aston Martin underpinnings in the 70s and again in the late 90s, and a couple of concept cars here and there. The Lagonda Vignale concept bowed at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show, and two years ago, the crossover concept above was unveiled to largely negative reviews at the same show.

People may not have cared for the showcar, but Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. (as the company is known in full) insists that it was the form - not the idea itself - that was rejected by the public. Based on that assessment, plans are reportedly proceeding to revive Lagonda as a brand of high-end SUVs.

Rather than badge-engineering a version of the Aston Martin Rapide, Autocar suggests that Lagonda will target emerging markets like Russia and China with a range of luxury crossovers. The reported £100-300k ($160-480k) price spread will put it far above even fully-spec'ed out versions of the Porsche Cayenne and Land Rover Range Rover. Underpinnings could be borrowed from Mercedes-Benz, particularly if plans for AML to produce the next generation of Maybach luxury cruisers go through.


Gallery: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept


[Source: Autocar]

Report: Aston Martin confirms Lagonda relaunch with high-end SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin lagondalagondaWed, 09 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19873720/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/09/report-aston-martin-confirms-lagonda-relaunch-with-high-end-suv/19873720/article-detail.xml 19873720 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/web-ab_003_lagonda-new_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/web-ab_003_lagonda-new.jpg <![CDATA[Geneva 2011: 2012 Aston Martin Virage is more of a good thing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/geneva-2011-2012-aston-martin-virage-is-more-of-a-good-thing/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/geneva-2011-2012-aston-martin-virage-is-more-of-a-good-thing/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/geneva-2011-2012-aston-martin-virage-is-more-of-a-good-thing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Aston Martin Virage debut in Geneva
Aston Martin Virage - Click above for high-res image gallery

Truth be told, we didn't really see the need for a new Aston Martin to slot between the DB9 and DBS, but after getting the low-down on the new 2012 Virage, we're welcoming it with open arms. Based on the same VH architecture as the other cars in the English brand's lineup, the Virage uses Aston's wonderfully vocal 6.0-liter V12 to crank out 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. In the Virage, those dozen cylinders are stirred exclusively through the company's six-speed Touchtronic 2 paddle-shift transmission.

While the Virage's design isn't vastly different from anything else in the automaker's portfolio, it's definitely got some pizzaz. Much like the larger Rapide, we can't help but stare at this coupe for long periods of time - it's simply gorgeous. Need proof? Click through our high-res gallery below to see the Virage from all angles, then learn more in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Aston Martin Virage: Geneva 2011

Aston Martin Virage: Geneva 2011Aston Martin Virage: Geneva 2011Aston Martin Virage: Geneva 2011Aston Martin Virage: Geneva 2011Aston Martin Virage: Geneva 2011

Gallery: 2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe

2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 Aston Martin Virage is more of a good thing

Geneva 2011: 2012 Aston Martin Virage is more of a good thing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Aston Martin One-77 delivered

It's official, ladies and gentlemen: Aston Martin has entered the million-dollar ultra-hyper-supercar league with the new One-77.

Now, we know what you're thinking, the One-77 was released a while ago already. But it wasn't until now that the first example has left the factory and delivered to its first lucky (and evidently very wealthy) customer. Delivery took place in no less prominent a location than Monaco, right in front of the iconic Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.

The One-77 carries a stratospheric €1,340,000 (~$1.8m) price tag, but that's only if you got on board at the beginning - if you were one of the final seventeen customers to place your order, the price reportedly went up by £150,000 (~$240k) for a final sticker of $2.04 million, With the first of 77 examples now delivered, the production run is set to conclude at the end of the year.

[Source: GTSpirit.com | Image: Fqogil]

First Aston Martin One-77 delivered to Monte Carlo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin one-77one-77Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19821232/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/31/first-aston-martin-one-77-delivered-to-monte-carlo/19821232/article-detail.xml 19821232 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-aston-delivery_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/web630-aston-delivery.jpg <![CDATA[Aston Martin finishes year with trio of DB9 specials]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/23/aston-martin-finishes-year-with-trio-of-db9-specials/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/23/aston-martin-finishes-year-with-trio-of-db9-specials/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/23/aston-martin-finishes-year-with-trio-of-db9-specials/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Aston Martin DB9 Carbon Black and Morning Frost editions - Click above for high-res image gallery

It doesn't take much to crank out a new special edition every once in a while, but Aston Martin has proven itself particularly adept at it. Over the course of the 2010 calendar year, the British automaker has offered up the V12 Vantage and DBS Carbon Black, V8 Vantage N420 and DBS UB2010 (commemorating Dr. Ulrich Bez's ten years at the head of the company). But before the year draws to a close, Gaydon has not one, not two, but three new special editions.

The latest special Astons are based on the DB9 - packing the usual 470-hp 6.0-liter V12 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox - and are available around the world in either coupe or Volante convertible body-styles. All three feature unique paint jobs, special 19-inch wheels, piano black veneers in the cabin and custom door-sill plates announcing the edition's name.

The DB9 Morning Frost differentiates itself with pearlescent white paint, silver brake calipers, and metallic bronze leather interior, while the DB9 Carbon Black (like the Vantage and DBS editions of the same) and the Quantum Silver editions - the former in black and the latter in the same shade of silver portrayed in the latest Bond movies - also get a sports exhaust, leather roof lining and glass switchgear. You can read more about 'em in the press release after the jump, accompanied by the high-resolution images in the gallery below.


Gallery: Aston Martin DB9 Morning Frost, Carbon Black and Quantum Silver editions


[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin finishes year with trio of DB9 specials

Aston Martin finishes year with trio of DB9 specials originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin Cygnet at Harrods - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin is dead serious about marketing the new Cygnet to luxury buyers in crowded metropoli (yes, we made that up...) like London. And to that end, the upscale British automaker is unveiling its new city car at no less prestigious a location than Harrods.

More than an ordinary department store, Harrods is a veritable London institution, with 360 departments spread out over seven floors of upscale shopping. The Cygnet is being shown in a ground-level window display there until December 11.

This marks the first time the production-ready Cygnet is being seen in public, with production set to begin in the new year. Full details in the press release after the jump, with high-resolution images in the gallery below.


Gallery: Aston Martin Cygnet at Harrods


[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin displays production-ready Cygnet at Harrods in London

Aston Martin displays production-ready Cygnet at Harrods in London originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin cygnetcygnetdepartment storeharrodslondonWed, 17 Nov 2010 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19720286/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/17/aston-martin-displays-production-ready-cygnet-at-harrods-in-lond/19720286/article-detail.xml 19720286 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/web630-39908962276-g-ast_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/web630-39908962276-g-ast.jpg -1 2