Autoblog

Aston Martin working on all-new Centenary model to celebrate anniversary

Zach Bowman — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Aston Martin, UK, Luxury

Aston Martin is rapidly approaching its 100th anniversary, and the company is reportedly hard at work on an all-new model to mark the occasion. According to Auto Express, CEO Ulrich Bez says the new creation will be an all-new mainstream model. That means we can count out any special-edition version of the DB9 or a super-limited production vehicle like the One-77. As you may recall, our spy photographers recently laid their glass on what we originally thought was a successor to the DB9 throne. It's entirely possible the machine was actually the new model Bez spoke of in his interview.

Either way, a 6.0-liter V12 will likely shuttle a full 550 horsepower or so to the rear wheels. Auto Express says the two-door ought to yield a 0-62 mph time of around four seconds flat. Sounds like an Aston Martin to us. With 2013 right around the corner, it's only a matter of time before we see this all-new model in the light of day.

Aston Martin working on all-new Centenary model to celebrate anniversary originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aston Martin, Toyota CEOs swap race cars at Nürburgring

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Aston Martin, Toyota

The chief executives of any two companies will inherently have something in common to share. All the more so for the CEOs of automakers, never mind how big or how small. But Akio Toyoda and Ulrich Bez share more than job descriptions. The heads of Toyota and Aston Martin also share a passion for motorsports and actively race themselves.

It's a relationship helped broker the deal to turn the Toyota iQ into the Aston Martin Cygnet. It's one that has seen not only their teams but they themselves compete against each other in sports car racing. It's also one that only stands to intensify next season in endurance racing when both field LMP1 racers. But before that happens, the two pencil-pushers turned hot shoes swapped cars at the Nürburgring, Toyoda taking to the wheel of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato, and Bez piloting the Lexus LFA. Follow the jump to watch the video footage.

Continue reading Aston Martin, Toyota CEOs swap race cars at Nürburgring

Aston Martin, Toyota CEOs swap race cars at Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez to auction his own Rapide for Japan disaster relief

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 May 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Auctions, Japan, Aston Martin, UK

Dr. Ulrich Bez and his Aston Martin Rapide - Click above for high-res image

Presiding over any large corporation has its demands, but also its share of perks. Especially when the company in question is an automaker like Aston Martin. The British carmaker's chief executive Dr. Ulrich Bez has his own Rapide to drive to and from work every day and also to represent the company at various events... but not for long.

As part of its upcoming auction - orchestrated at its historic facility in Newport Pagnell, England, by Bonhams - Bez has donated his own Rapide that will go to the highest bidder to raise funds for relief efforts in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that has ravaged the country.

The model in question, chassis number F00039, is a right-hand-drive model built in 2009. It's painted Concours Blue with Obsidian Black leather with Falcon Grey top-stitching and black carpets offset by walnut veneers. Bonhams will waive its commission for this particular lot that will be auction on Saturday, May 21. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez to auction his own Rapide for Japan disaster relief

Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez to auction his own Rapide for Japan disaster relief originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aston-Martin One-77 world's most powerful normally-aspirated road car? [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Aston Martin, UK, Luxury

2011 Aston Martin One-77 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Aston Martin continues to march forward with its One-77. The soon-to-be-ultra-rare hypercar is closer than ever to production, and according to the minds behind its creation, when it hits the street, it will boast the world's most powerful naturally-aspirated production car engine. With 750 horsepower and 750 lb-ft of torque, the 7.3-liter V12 is a marvel of automotive and acoustic engineering.

Despite the company's plans to produce just 77 examples of its halo model, Aston Martin says that it's bent on making sure that each and every one of the vehicles can stand up to the same level of abuse as the rest of its production fleet. That means that somewhere out there, a One-77 prototype is being flogged in the world's most brutal climates.

Aston Martin has released the fourth installment of its video series on the One-77, complete with all of the long, slow-motion shots your little heart could possibly desire and a glorious soundtrack. If you're lucky enough to have secured a One-77 for yourself, the company says that deliveries should begin during the first half of 2011. Hit the jump to take a look and for a quick read over the press release.

Gallery: Aston Martin One-77 at Galpin Motors

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2009 AOL

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston-Martin One-77 world's most powerful normally-aspirated road car? [w/video]

Aston-Martin One-77 world's most powerful normally-aspirated road car? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Aston Martin V12 Vantage bound for U.S.?

Chris Shunk — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Aston Martin

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

For our money, there are few vehicles in the world more beautiful than the Aston Martin Vantage. And when we scribble out our lottery list, the limited edition 510 hp 6.0L V12 variant is always near the top. Unfortunately, Aston announced early on that none of the 1,000 DB9-powered Vantages would be imported into the U.S. Pity. But according to Car and Driver, our prayers may have been answered.

Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez told the buff book that the V12 Vantage would be available in the US after all, and that the ultra exclusive GT specialists could keep the 12-pot variants coming past the 1,000 unit mark. That's great news for the people that can appreciate (and afford) the best cars money can buy. And if the V12 Vantage goes on sale in the States, that means there's a chance we'll get to drive one.

Gallery: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

[Source: Car and Driver]

REPORT: Aston Martin V12 Vantage bound for U.S.? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dr. Bez spills the beans, announces DBS pricing

Alex Nunez — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 09:39:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Supercars, Aston Martin, Misc. Auto Shows

Our friend Lou Ann Hammond of Carlist was among the small cadre of early-rising journos who ventured out to Pebble Beach's 18th green on Thursday morning to see Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, formally introduce the DBS (video here). Now, while pricing on the sumptuous supercar apparently wasn't supposed to be announced until the Frankfurt show in September, an enthused Dr. Bez went ahead and told those gathered, "this is a car which will cost, in America, $265,000."

So there you have it. Now, please excuse us while we go check last night's lottery numbers.

[Source: Carlist]

Gallery: 2008 Aston Martin DBS

Dr. Bez spills the beans, announces DBS pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aston Martin may sell for $100 million less than previously thought

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:07:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Aston Martin, Earnings/Financials

The Detroit News just reported that the winning bid for Aston Martin might be a little lower than we originally thought. The group of investors led by Prodrive's David Richards is about to close the deal for about £450 million ($870 million). That's a full 10 percent lower than we just reported yesterday. The £500 million guess would have been half of Ford's initial asking price for the British luxury sports car maker. Whatever the final price, we still believe Ford will keep an interest in Aston Martin, as it is A-M's number one parts supplier. Also, Ulrich Bez should stay on as chief, despite having submitted his own bid for the company.

As the company already running the racing team for Aston-Martin, Prodrive would consolidate management and ownership of the company's headquarters, research and production facilities in Gaydon, England. Aston Martin is a small but valuable marque that has links to not only racing prowess, but to James Bond, as well. That image is priceless to some and apparently worth about $870 million to others.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Aston Martin may sell for $100 million less than previously thought originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aston Martin CEO considering bid to buy own brand

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Aston Martin

Latest rumor in the FoMoCo/Aston Martin fire sale has Aston chief executive, Ulrich Bez considering making an offer for the firm. Bez said he plans on making the sale complete "as rapidly as possible," and that he plans on staying with the company in his present capacity. With a return to profit and the promise of the new "DB9 Vanquish" latest James Bond whip DBS being shown at Detroit in January, Aston could fetch Ford a pretty penny from its own CEO.

[Source: Times Online (UK)]

Tip: Ben

Related posts:

Aston Martin CEO considering bid to buy own brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aston Martin makes a profit!

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 11:42:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Aston Martin

For the first time in forty years (!), Aston Martin has booked a profit, although theFord Premier Automotive Group to which it belongs lost about $100 million in 2005.

Chief executive Dr. Ulrich Bez (smiling at right) attributes the company's good news to a global boom in millionaires, with about 70 percent of Aston Martins sold outside the U.K. Only five years ago, 80 percent of the marque's production was sold in England.

Bez, formerly with Porsche, says that Aston Martin has created its own market niche, appealing to wealthy buyers who want performance and exclusivity, but with "English understatement."

[Source: The Times]

Aston Martin makes a profit! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jul 2006 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments