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Company officials swear it's not in the cards, but industry sources are suggesting that Aston Martin's new ownership is mulling over the possibility of building a mid-engined supercar to top the range.

When the announcement was made that Aston was going independent, CEO Ulrich Bez showed a product line-up that featured the codename NPX at the top, positioned above the $400,000 Rapide four-door coupe, which the automaker, infused with new capital and bolstered by growing sales, approved for production.

Currently the entire Aston line-up is based on the same front-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform, and according to the company's five-year plan, that's not set to change. Not yet, at least, but that's not to say it couldn't change after 2010 when the plan expires and the automaker will have to set a new direction.

This isn't the first time Aston was reported to have been considering a mid-engined model, as the entry-level V8 Vantage was originally planned as a mid-engined model to face off against the Ferrari 360 Modena. If the NPX gets the green light, however, the sites will be set considerably higher on the Enzo's successor.

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• The DBX: Aston Martin's forthcoming supercar
• Aston Martin developing a DBX?

[Source: AutoWeek]

In the wake of the Aston Martin sale last week, information about the green-lighting of the Rapide and the ramping up of the DBS was accompanied by a moniker that many assumed would be an all-wheel-drive version of the DB-series Aston: the DBX. According to AutoExpress, the DBX is actually a codename for a new Aston Martin flagship that will join the exalted ranks of the McLaren SLR, Bugatti Veyron and other hyper-exotics.

This new Aston supercar will be built on the aluminum and composite VH chassis and inspired by the Zagato, which originally launched back in 1986. Expect power to come from a highly-tuned 6.0L V12, making upwards of 700 HP and sending power to the rear wheels via six-speed manual gearbox. The new higher-ups have set performance targets that include a 0-60 sprint in under 3.7 seconds along with a top speed around 205 MPH.

Naturally, no pricing information is available, but according to AE's website, expect this ultra-Aston to carry a price tag in the £350,000 realm.

[Source: AutoExpress]