The Aston Martin Rapide made its debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show where attendees gasped at the car’s beautifully sleek and sexy, yet professional design. However, Aston Martin has evidently deemed the amount of hype surrounding the car insufficient and have gone ahead and released the above promotional video showing off the car’s development.

As you can see, the car was meticulously designed and tested before Aston Martin gave it to production go ahead. Unfortunately, due to its sure to be high price the chances of us ever getting a chance to drive this beauty remain slim to none.

Continue reading...

It looks like Ferrari isn’t the only one opening a retail store at the Nurburgring circuit as Aston Martin too has announced a similar store.

That’s all fine and dandy but the real treat is that the first ever Aston Martin One-77 production model was put on display at the store. According to WorldCarFans it is the same car that Aston Martin has been using for testing for some time now.

For those who don’t know, the One-77 is said to have a top speed above 200MPH and the capability to go from 0-100km/h in less that 3.5 seconds.

Continue reading...

Don’t look now but Aston Martin, the same company that brought to us the 6.0 litre DBS which we saw in the Quantum of Solace, is reportedly set to unveil a new eco-friendly Supermini in the car scene soon. The 1.0 hatchback which they are calling the Cygnet which accelerate from 0 to 60 seconds in 14.7 seconds. Whoa!

The car will be eligible for the cheapest tax band thanks to its low emissions. The car is based on Toyota’s IQ city car but is given the Aston Martin makeover with a sporty grille, alloy wheels, and luxury interior.

The Cygnet will cost a fraction of its high-powered siblings, such as the £160,000 DBS, by selling for around the £20,000 mark.

(Source) Telegraph

Continue reading...

As far as car preference is concerned, one has to wonder which among the many vehicles launched in the market would make the grade. While there are different categories to which these will be determined, Edmunds.com reveals the most recognized cars as voted for in 15 categories.

“Car enthusiasts have very strong opinions and we’re glad to provide them with opportunities to express themselves by voting for Most Wanted, commenting on blogs and otherwise engaging in our community,” said Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief of Inside Line.

• Speed Under $30,000 – 2009 Nissan 370Z
• Speed Over $30,000 – 2009 Nissan GT-R
• Convertible Under $30,000 – 2009 Ford Mustang
• Convertible Over $30,000 – 2009 Aston Martin DB9 Volante
• Luxury Under $30,000 – 2009 BMW 128i
• Luxury Over $30,000 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
• Hauling Under $30,000 – 2009 Ford F-150
• Hauling Over $30,000 – 2009 Toyota Tundra
• Commuting Under $30,000 – 2009 BMW 128i
• Commuting Over $30,000 – 2009 BMW 335d
• Family Under $30,000 – 2009 Honda Accord
• Family Over $30,000 – 2009 BMW X5
• Instant Classic Under $30,000 – 2009 Nissan 370Z
• Instant Classic Over $30,000 – 2009 Nissan GT-R
• Best Concept Car – Lamborghini Estoque

(Source) Press

Continue reading...

For the coming 2009 season, Aston Martin Racing has turned to Hella for reliable illumination needs as far as their headlights is concerned. Already an established brand in the world of car lighting needs, Aston Martin Racing will be equipped with Xenon headlights for the duration of various events which include the Le Mans racing series.

“Aston Martin’s use of Hella headlights in the demanding Le Mans series and the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans says a great deal about the quality of our lighting technology,” said Visconti. “Their choice also is a good recommendation for all drivers.”

Hella’s lighting system consists of the Rallye 1000 FF spotlights, 90 mm xenon modules and LED side marker lights.

Hence, whether for racing needs or rational consumer driving, Hella is your brand. It has proven its quality visual aids for some time now and will continue to do so.

(Source) Press

Continue reading...

There are reports that the owners of a New York car dealership, specializing in Bentleys and Aston Martins, have been accused of corporate espionage against rival Ferrari and Maserati dealers. The charges concern some illegal ‘e-mail tapping’ attempted by the Bentley/Aston Martin dealer, in which they gained unauthorized access to a New York Ferrari dealer’s email server about 2,500 times in 8 months last year.

The Bentley/Aston dealers were reading the emails and also contacting customers of Ferrari that were currently negotiating with them. The maximum penalty, if the Bentley/Aston dealer is found guilty, could amount to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Continue reading...

Comic talent Jaime Kennedy has reportedly put his 2006 Aston Martin Vantage up for grabs at ClassyAuto.com. Mr. Kennedy’s 2006 Aston Martin Vantage is everything you expect from an exotic. With less than 11,000 miles the vehicle is absolutely flawless and has been meticulously maintained and garage kept.

It features Aston Martin’s hand assembled 4.3 Liter V8 with 380 bhp and has the optional Navigation system. Known for their fit and finish, Aston Martin delivers in spades with the sumptuous leather interior surrounded by light-weight alloys and aerospace technology.

This is a rare opportunity to purchase a true celebrity owned exotic car. The vehicle will be auctioned on eBay starting on April 23rd.

(Source) PR Web

Continue reading...

News about the opening of the James Bond Museum may be something many people would want to check out, particularly the ones who have watched most, if not all of his films. And one thing you should note is that aside from gadgets and sultry scenes, it is the cars that James Bond uses for every film that draws attention.

Leading the pack are a Lotus car and a Mustang from the early films that Bond used. Other cars expected to be revealed at the James Bond Museum include:

• Alfa Romeo GTV6 and 159
• AMC Concord, Hornet and Matador
• Jeep Cherokee, CJ-7 and Wagoneer
• Aston Martin DB5
• Audi Bentley Mark II
• BMW Z3 and Z8
• Ford Fairlane, Scorpio and Thunderbird

The list goes on. If you have time (and the money) to visit, you are sure to spend a large chunk of your time enumerating the cars driven by the all-time great British spy.

(Source) BBC News

Continue reading...

It looks like the rumored sale of Volvo is once again in the works as reports have it that the company has moved closer to selling the Swedish auto brand. Ford, grappling with the deepest downturn in U.S. auto industry sales in 27 years, is considering a sale of the business. It has already sold the rest of its premier auto group, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover.

“We’ve had contact with a number of parties who’ve expressed interest concerning the future of Volvo. Ford’s been pleased with the number and quality of those parties,” John Gardiner, Ford’s European director of strategic communications said, citing a message sent to Volvo employees earlier on Wednesday.

“We’ve had preliminary discussions to determine the level of interest in the Volvo business that they have and we’re now talking in more detail to those parties about the future for Volvo,” he added.

Last month a source with direct knowledge of the matter said Chinese carmaker Chery Automobile had held talks with Volvo cars. Citigroup and JPMorgan are advising Ford.

(Source) Reuters

Continue reading...

Texans can now get closer to owning an Aston Martin with this announcement that Aston Martin North America, in partnership with John Eagle Dealerships, is pleased to announce the appointment of an Aston Martin franchised dealership in Austin, Texas. The move signals the continued expansion of the independent luxury sports car brand in Texas and across North America.

Aston Martin of Austin will be the 36th Aston Martin dealership to open in North America. John Eagle Dealerships, who own and operate the award-winning Aston Martin of Dallas, has announced Sonny Morgan as Dealer Principal of the Austin franchise. Sonny previously held the position of President, Aston Martin of Dallas and has now relocated to Austin to oversee the development and operation of the latest Aston Martin dealership in Texas.

Sales will commence in April from a new state-of-the-art 10,000 sq. ft. showroom with dedicated service facility, located on Research Boulevard, to the North of the city. This new facility is nestled in the beautiful hill country, which is the perfect place to experience Aston Martin’s range of handcrafted high performance sports cars, including the flagship DBS, elegant DB9 and iconic V8 Vantage.

(Source) Press

Continue reading...

It looks like Aston Martin will be losing a stakeholder as Investment Dar of Kuwait has reportedly in talks to sell its stake which may end up being under new management. Investment Dar paid Ford over $900 million for its majority stake in Aston Martin back in 2007, but the economic downturn has forced it to reconsider the position.

The group has received several expressions of interest in a stake in the famed marque as a part of the company’s plans to restructure its debt, sources tell the newspaper. Aston’s sales volume in the UK, which accounts for about a third of the worldwide total, fell 25% in the year through October, forcing the company to cut its workforce by one third. Plans for restructuring are expected to be finalized by March 16.

(Source) Financial Times

Continue reading...

The ultimate car from Aston Martin was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. The car in focus is the One-77. The 6.0L V12 found in more “pedestrian” Astons has been expanded out to 7.3L and the output is now in excess of 700 hp with a top speed in excess of 200 mph.

The One-77 is Aston Martin’s definitive sports car, one that epitomises everything Aston Martin from technology, the hand-craftsmanship of the hand rolled aluminium panels to the attention to detail. A culmination of all the marque’s know-how, the One-77 delivers effortless beauty guaranteed to stir the senses with performance potential eclipsing any previous Aston Martin.

With the performance and durability phase of the One-77’s intensive development programme soon to commence, the 79th Geneva Auto Salon provides the perfect stage on which to reveal the remarkable engineering, advanced technology and exotic materials that lie beneath the One-77’s extraordinary exterior.

(Source) Aston Martin

Continue reading...

The DBD Volante from Aston Martin makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. This new drop-top will line up alongside the V12 Vantage and new Lagonda luxury saloon, giving show goers a triple treat of fresh metal.

Described by Aston Martin as the “the ultimate open air motoring experience”, the DBS Volante gets the same mighty 6.0-litre V12 as the coupe and stunning looks with a fabric hood that closely follows the silhouette of the coupe.

Capable of dropping at the touch of a button in just 14 seconds and at up to speeds of 30mph, the roof automatically stows under a re–sculpted tonneau cover, which maintains the slick look of the coupe. And as you can see, all the styling cues from the storming DBS coupe are carried across.

(Source) Auto Racing Daily

Continue reading...

Now who wouldn’t notice a Range Rover when you see and hear one? Range Rover, one of the great luxury SUVs ever to come out, has been made even sweeter with the Concept802 style. Concept802 is a styling company based in the UK. The main focus of Concept802 is in styling luxury vehicles.

The Platinum R wide body kit consists of the wide arch kit, side skirts, front and rear bumpers. In addition a front grille, side vent and unique Concept802 exhaust tips are fitted. A carbon fiber rear diffuser is included in what Concept802 believes to be the first exterior application of this material on a Range Rover Sport.

The Range Rover Sport is only the first car to be given treatment by Concept802 but it won’t be the last. Later brands like Aston Martin, Porsche and Lamborghini will be styled as well.

(Source) WorldCarFans

Continue reading...

Missed the Lagonda from Aston Martin? Well miss no more as the company will bring a Lagonda concept over at the Geneva Motor Show. According to latest rumors the car will have four doors and it will be an evolution of Aston Martin’s past design. The Lagonda will probably be an ultra-luxurious type of sedan although nothing is sure until Aston Martin will show it off in Geneva. We’ll bring you more details in about two weeks and you can expect the concept to arrive “in stores” in 2012.

via AutoExpress

Continue reading...