British luxury sports car brand Aston Martin will make its debut in the Grand-Am series on January 27th, as it prepares to take part in the 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC), which will be held at the Daytona International Speedway.

For its return to North American racing, Aston Martin has teamed up with Multimatic Motorsports, which are based in Toronto, Canada. The lead car in this endurance race will be driven by Scott Maxwell and Joe Foster, while the second car will be piloted by Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey, who has proven over the years that he is a very accomplished racing driver. For this inaugural event, Dempsey will be teamed-up with Chriss Porritt, Aston Martin’s chief engineer, who is very experienced with the Vantage GT4.

The first round of the CTSCC will be run in support of the 50th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and this support race will run for two and a half hours, with a mandatory driver change. The Aston Martin team will be competiting in the Grand Sport Category, which features six and eight cylinder cars. Aston’s main rival will most certainly be the Audi R8 LMS, which is in the same class.

With experienced drivers and the combined talents of Aston Martin and Multimatic Motorsports, this team will certainly be among the favorites to take the race win. We only have to wait a few days to find out.

There are plenty of exotic car commercials that feature sexy women… but how many out there are targeted to a female audience (and we’re not talking about minivans and SUVs that go after soccer moms)? We’re talking about a cool car for cool women – and that’s just what Aston Martin is going after in its latest spot.

Tilted “Aston Martin Loves Women. Women Love Aston Martin,” this 87-second long featurette is made for the woman who appreciates automotive beauty and performance. You won’t see any girls in bikini tops sprawled on the car hood with a hose in one hand and a wet sponge in the other. What you will see is a DBS drawing admiration from a variety of different females as it makes its way through the streets… and none of them is in a hip-hugging mini skirt.

This one’s going out to all the ladies who love a fine automobile. Watch the ad after the jump.

Continue Reading…

10. Porsche 918 Spyder: $845,000

The list of the Top 10 most expensive new cars is even more shocking that you might expect. Released by Forbes, you can forget the Ferrari 458 or the $300,000 Lamborghini Aventador because even at the low end of the scale these models start at right around the one million mark.

In 10th place, at $845,000 is Porsche’s upcoming flagship, the 918 Spyder. When it does arrive later this year, it will come powered by a high-revving V8 engine making more than 500 hp, mated to a plug-in hybrid system that adds over 218 hp. Porsche claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds, with an incredible 78 mpg rating.

Aston Martin has announced a pair of V8 Vantages will be joining the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge with Multimatic campaigning at least one of them.

For those wondering who Multimatic is, they’re recognized as a world leader in composite technology and recently worked with Aston Martin to develop the full carbon fiber monocoque chassis found on the One-77. Multimatic is also well known for their advanced vehicle analysis and dynamic simulation, helping Aston Martin to bring unrivaled specialist capabilities to the One-77 model.

Another collaboration between Aston Martin and Multimatic includes their DSSV Dampers on the V12 Zagato Concept. Multimatic Motorsports is in charge of designing, engineering, building and campaigning several race cars in North America and Europe, and seeing a Vantage V8 in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series will be a nice addition.

Aston Martin won’t be the only original ones joining the series next year either, with Audi-tuner APR Motorsport prepping their R8 to go racing.

Lamborghini won’t be the only exotic car maker debuting a convertible at the Geneva Auto Show this March, with a new report that Aston Martin is planning a drop-top reveal.

According to one source, the maker of British exotics will undress a convertible version of its V12 Vantage model. The same chassis that is shared with the rest of the Vantage lineup, the V12 model trades its 420 hp, 4.7-liter V8 for a 510 hp, 5.9-liter V12.

The same source cites Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez as revealing that a DBS replacement is in the pipes, making 600-hp.

GALLERY: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

[Source: GTSpirit]

v

We’re getting close and closer to seeing one of the world’s best looking race cars in the flesh soon, as Aston Martin announced that they’ve begun testing their 6.0L V12 racecar with 600-hp.

In fact, the new Vantage GT3 has already logged over 620-miles in shakedown runs, preparing it to take on several race series including the FIA GT3 championships, Blancpain Endurance Series and the VLN Nürburgring Series.

The V12 Vantage GT3 is replacing the outgoing DBRS9 and weighs in at a scant 2,755-lbs. Aston Martin hopes to start delivering the race vehicle to teams in early 2012 with a cost of around half a million big ones.

GALLERY: Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3

Luxury sportscar manufacturer Aston Martin is celebrating a milestone as they now have over 1-million fans on the social networking site, Facebook.

In celebration of this milestone, Aston Martin will lets its ‘fans’ design a special one-off vehicle by answering a series of questions. The most popular answer will decide the specification of “The Millionth Fan Car.”

Aston Martin is creating some interior and exterior color schemes specifically for this special edition. As a thank you to all those who participated in this campaign, Aston Martin will send each fan a downloadable certificate of the final design.

The chosen car and design will be built at Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility in March 2012. This car will then be displayed at many public events during the year.

Aston Martin’s popularity has seen a big rise in the last six-months as over 280,000 fans have ‘liked’ their Facebook page. This might be due to their expansion in markets such as India and South America recently.

Also in celebration of this milestone, Aston Martin will reduce the price of their iPhone app from $5.00 to $0.99, but only for a limited time.

Aston Martin will be teaming up with Galpin Aston Martin of California to show off the final pre-production engineering development One-77 at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. This special One-77 has covered 14,000-miles including endurance testing at Nardo in Italy and the infamous Nurburgring in Germany.

Spectators to this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show will be able to check out the 7.3L V12-powered exotic in person, but unfortunately won’t get to experience the 750-hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. But we’ll all be able to admire the handcrafted aluminum body and full carbon fiber monocoque chassis.

Keep in mind that the One-77 that will be on display isn’t a final production model, and the car that will be for sale may be slightly different.

GALLERY: Aston Martin One-77

We’re not sure what it is about car crashes that fascinates us – so long as they don’t happen to us. We just love (and hate) watching videos of them occurring, and this one involves a remarkable Aston Martin Rapide on a public road.

The driver is Italian surf board designer Roberto Ricci, while the passenger, who captured the entire incident on video, is Mpora editor Dave White. It appears that Ricci turned off the Rapide’s stability control rather than hitting the “Sport” mode button and as a result, loses control of the car while on an exit ramp. The Rapide clearly slamms into a guardrail but none of the airbags deploy.

Fortunately after the accident both White and Ricci do not appear to have sustained any injuries, which is surprising considering how demolished the Rapide is.

Check out the video of the crash after the break – may be NSFW due to language.

Continue Reading…

Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin have teamed up to create a special edition timepiece that will have fans of the iconic auto brand racing to pick one up.

Taking its inspirations from Aston Martin’s legendary racing program, the AMVOX5 LMP1 boasts all the precision and endurance standards racing drivers count on, while its mechanical and aesthetic features will appeal to racing enthusiasts. It features a 41-jewel Caliber 752 movement with chronograph and GMT functions, and comes with a date window and 65-hour power reserve. This timepiece is also self-winding and has a pink gold oscillating weight.

Its precision movement is encased in 44-milimeter ceramic-titanium, and it’s strapped to your wrist with a calfskin and Cordura strap that sports the Aston Martin team’s blue and orange livery. There will only be 250 AMVOX5 LMP1 being issued, and although there’s no word on a price, we’re sure that this watch will be sold out quickly.

[Source: Autoblog]

No stranger to the Nurburgring, Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez has competed at the legendary racetrack since 2006, but this weekend’s event was different. That’s because Bez wasn’t behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, but a race-prepped Lexus LFA.

Bez and Toyota President Akio Toyoda swapped rides for the ninth round of the 2011 VLN series race, with Toyoda piloting Aston’s new V12 Zagato.

“Other company bosses meet on the golf course, we race together,” says Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez.

Rather than a PR stunt, both Bez and Toyota describe the ride swap as result of their friendship, which has developed over the years at the Nurburgring. With up to 200 cars competing on track and a limited number of pit stalls, teams at the Nurburgring are forced to share space with their competitors. Both Aston Martin and Toyota’s Gazoo Racing have done so several times in the past.

“As I learnt that our teams would share a garage once again I renewed my invitation to Akio Toyoda to drive an Aston Martin race car and I was delighted to accept his offer in return”, said Dr. Bez. “We have raced side by side regularly since the 2008 24 hour race here at the Nurburgring. Since then a personal friendship has developed into this decision to experience each other’s race cars.”

Competing in the SP8 class both executives started in their own cars and almost didn’t get the chance to make the switch when the #114 Aston Matin was struck by another car and forced to pit for significant repairs. Back on track before the end of the race, the LFA and V12 Zagato crossed the finish line side-by-side, with Bez in the Lexus and Toyoda in the Aston Martin.

Topping the list of what’s cool, Aston Martin has been named as the UK’s coolest brand for the fifth time in six years.

Beating out such other well-known names as Apple and Bang & Olufsen, Aston Martin came out on top of this poll that features an array of leading international contemporary design-driven brands. Not only was Aston Martin the #1 pick over all, it was also voted the top automotive brand.

“Smooth, sexy and sophisticated; British built, high quality and hand finished, let’s be honest, young or old, male or female, opinion former or British public, who wouldn’t aspire to own what is truly the coolest car on the road,” said Stephen Cheliotis, Chief Executive, The Centre for Brand Analysis and Chairman of the CoolBrands Council. “Number one in five of the last six years, this British icon is truly the coolest of the cool.”

Deciding what is cool for 2011 is a council of 36 influencers that boasts hip cats such as music artist Jessie J, DJ and Bestival founder Rob da Bank and actress and fashion designer, Sadie Frost. The list was paired down from an initial 10,000 to produce a shortlist of 1,500. The panel and consumers then vote to come up with a top 500 list of the most highly rated brands.

It was only a few months ago, when talks of an engagement between Aston Martin and Maybach was making headlines. This partnership would have seen the two uber-luxury brands sharing technology and platforms.

Now according to sources, the union has broken before it even started, citing money issues. If the deal had stayed intact, Aston Martin would have built the next generation models of the Maybach 57 and 62. In return, Aston Martin would have benefited from Mercedes-Benz‘s hybrid technology, the 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 and platforms for the 2012 M-class and 2013 S-class.

Sources say Aston Martin wanted too much money to build cars for Maybach. Nothing is confirmed yet, but if this deal really does go sour, it might lead to an end for Maybach, which is currently owned by Mercedes-Benz. With no Maybach, one has to wonder, what car will any future, self-respecting hip-hop artist choose to hacksaw for the amusement of their fans?

[Source: World Car Fans]

“I’m not satisfied with Cygnet sales,” declared Aston Martin‘s Chairman Dr. Ulrich Bez recently, though it’s not for the usual reasons. Rather than lack of demand, Aston’s main problem with the pint-size city car is actually lack of supply.

That said, wait times for the £31,000 (approximately $48,680 U.S.) machine are now starting to put customers off actually buying one, especially since Bez views the car very much as an impulse buy. “It is the sort of product a customer sees and decides they want on the spot – they don’t want to have to wait for their car to be built, but to drive it away there and then,” he said.

Bez says that in order to get Cygnet sales to where they should be depends on two things, firstly availability, which should improve once the company opens its first Cygnet store in London’s swanky Park Lane district and secondly, by taking a more active approach towards promoting the car, which may take time, given Aston’s limited resources.

In addition, with Toyota scheduled to release an electric version of the iQ, on which the Cygnet is based, it’s very likely that a version of this will form the basis for Aston’s first EV.

Aston’s city car has been a controversial topic since day one, yet in response to those who believe the Cygnet is diluting the Aston Martin brand, Bez had this to say, “it [the Cygnet] is a luxury piece, a great car to go around town in. Why would you take a Vantage through London when you could have this?”  He’s got a point.

[Source: Autocar]

The Aston Martin special edition gravy train continues to roll through Frankfurt with the DBS Carbon Edition, giving wealthy owners a reason to keep upgrading to a new model.

Changes are absolutely minimal; 10 spoke gloss black diamond wheels, a quilted leather headliner and the option of either orange or black leather upholstery. Outside, Carbon Black, Flame Orange or Ceramic Grey are the paint choices.

Aston Martin claims that the interior takes 70 hours to complete, and all that handiwork adds up to a price tag of  $294,258 for the coupe and $310,052 for the droptop, a $20,000 premium over the “base” models.

Gallery: Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition

Sean Connery embodied cool as James Bond, driving around in an Aston Martin DB5. You can build yourself a little piece of iconic film history– you’ll feel just like Q after you make a 1:8 replica of the classic spy car used in Goldfinger.

EON Productions and Aston Martin have partnered with GE Fabbri Ltd to offer a special series of part-work magazine and car parts that will be delivered to the subscribers over 85 weeks so you can rebuild a complete model of the car.

No detail has been overlooked – in fact, actual blue prints of the DB5 model were used to recreate every part, right down to the tiny screws. These parts will be delivered with an issue of a special edition part-work magazine by GE Fabbri spanning 85 weeks. While you’re waiting for the next issue to arrive, you can read the current magazine for detailed accounts and pictorials about the making of the movie. And to make sure you don’t miss a single issue, GE Fabbri has created new logistical networks and systems so that you’ll always be guaranteed safe and timely delivery of these limited edition magazines.

Take a look at the video of the model DB5 after the jump. It’s a pretty cool collector’s item that will keep the James Bond fanatic in your life busy for the next year or so. You can order the Aston Martin BB5 replica model online.

[Source: Born Rich]

Continue Reading…

Another year, another auto show and another special edition exotic sports car is to be unveiled. At the 64th Frankfurt International Auto Show, Aston Martin is to introduce the Vantage 4.7 Special Edition.

This model, which features the firms V8 motor, produces 426-hp (6-hp more than usual). That power is sent to the rear-wheels via a six-speed manual or Sportshift automated manual gearbox.

This model, according to its maker, is capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in just 4.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 180-mph.

From the exterior, there is not much difference. Apart from the silver grille surround, it looks just like any other V8 Vantage.

It is the same story inside, with changes limited to a gunmetal alloy instrument binnacle and graphite finish on the center console. However, this special edition model does come with such goodies such as satellite navigation and park distance control as standard.

This special edition is only on sale in Europe and for a very limited time. Orders will be taken from 13th September to 30th September only. The number made will depend on how many orders got taken in these 17-days. These special edition cars will be delivered by the end of this year.

[Source: GT Spirit]

After the success of the limited edition DBS Carbon Black model, Aston Martin has revealed two new “Carbon Edition” versions. While essentially just the same set of add-ons but with two new exterior color options, any DBS news is news because, well, the car is stunning.

Now available in Flame Orange and Ceramic Grey, the new models get the same unique paint treatment with seven layers that are then hand polished for 25 hours. In addition, Aston will now also offer a “satin lacquer” finish.

Other upgrades include 10-spoke black diamond wheels, black brake calipers (yellow, orange, red or gray are optional), a new black grille, carbon headlight backings and smoked rear lights. Other Carbon Edition upgrades include carbon fiber on the dash an on the magnesium paddle shifters. More impressive is the upgraded leather (in either obsidian black or maranello orange), while the headliner is a quilted leather pattern. And finally, one should not forget the carbon fiber special edition plaque.

Pricing for the new DBS Carbon Edition models starts at $287,576 and a shocking $302,576 for the Volante convertible.

Look for live photos from the reveal at AutoGuide’s dedicated Frankfurt Auto Show page here.

GALLERY: Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition

Go behind the scenes to see how Aston Martin’s top-of-the-line One-77 is crafted. You can learn how this advanced production car is made and take a tour of Aston Martin’s impressive factory on National Geographic’s popular Megafactories series.

Aston Martin has given the TV series Megafactories (also known in the US as Ultimate Factories) full access to its facilities in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. The show follows the One-77 from its conception in October 2007 to the build of the first production One-77 in October 2010. Viewers will be treated to high-definition footage of the 1,000 square foot facility where 77 vehicles will be hand-produced. You’ll also be introduced to the 27 technicians who work there and have spent over 2,700 man-hours to complete the One-77.

The Aston Martin One-77 special premiers in the UK on Sunday, September 4 at 9 pm on National Geographic, Sky Channels and Virgin Media channels. If you’re not in the UK, don’t worry – this show will be broadcast in 64 countries worldwide, so check your local listings.

Video after the jump

Gallery: Aston Martin One-77

Continue Reading…

British Columbia Mounties have impounded 13-high end sports cars following an alleged street race in Metro Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon. Around 3:30 pm yesterday afternoon, police received reports of high-end cars racing southbound along Highway 99 in the area of George Massey tunnel.

Witnesses reported that the cars were travelling in excess of 200 km/h (120 mph), and on several occasions, the sports cars would travel side by side to block traffic, allowing their friends in front to race. Thirteen drivers were pulled over and their cars are worth a total of more than $2 million.

The vehicles involved in the race include a, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Nissan GT-R and Aston Martin. RCMP Insp. Bryon Massie said, ”The majority of them had personalized plates as well and were souped-up, so they’re fairly distinguished and the witnesses had no problem in providing us with the descriptors that were tracked back to the vehicles.”

Many of the sports cars had green “N” stickers in their rear windshields, as part of B.C’s graduated licensing system. Massie said, “The drivers of the vehicles are all in around the age of 20 years old. They’re all new drivers. The majority of them do not have their full driver’s licence status — they’re still in the ‘N’ new category.”

[Source: CBC]

Anyone can carry around an iPhone or a Blackberry, but if you want to stand out from the mobile crowd, you’ll want to pick yourself up the new Mobiado Aston Martin Grand 350 cell phone.

Luxury accessories company Mobiado has just launched the Grand 350 Aston Martin mobile phone, and it embodies the auto brand’s designs and technology. The handheld device is made for the elite cell phone user – it features 271 carat of sapphire crystal inlays, CNC machine crafted aluminum frame with ruby infrared screen, stainless steel buttons, and a sliding battery cover mechanism (also made with sapphire crystal).

The Aston Martin Grand 350 can be used across the globe, as its embedded software and the keypad come in optional multi-lingual settings. This luxury phone comes with all the bells and whistles: a 3.2 megapixel camera, quad-band network adjustment, 3.5 G, HSPDA & WLAN internet surfing, email (with dedicated key), expandable memory, micro USB connectivity, and a device lock. It comes in black, black satin and silver versions (the satin version features a glass-beat treated body finish).

There’s no word on a price, but you can expect it to be a little on the expensive side. To find a dealer near you, check out Mobiado’s website.

[Source: Born Rich]

The stunning love child of Aston Martin and the Zagato design house will officially be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month, with both existing examples of the car taking center stage at the British automaker’s stand.

With the announcement, Aston Martin has also now officially confirmed it will build just 150 versions of the car, priced at £330,000 (or roughly $540,000). In celebration of 50 years since the original tie-up between Aston Martin and Zgato, the modified V12 Vantage uses a hand crafted carbon fiber and aluminum body and is powered by a 510-hp 5.9-liter V12 engine.

The two cars (Zig and Zag) will both be on display in Frankfurt after campaigning at the Nurburgring 24 Hour race. “Zig” will showcase the full race car aerodynamics package, while “Zag” has been converted back to something more closely resembling the production road car.

Joining the two Zagato cars on the stand in Frankfurt will be the new Vantage S, the Virage and the One-77 supercar.

GALLERY: Aston Martin V12 Zagato

GALLERY: Aston Martin V12 Zagato in Monterey

With a mix of elegance and brute force that only Aston Martin can provide, the British building of exotic cars has revealed its new GT3 class race car. Replacing the DBRS9, the V12 Vantage GT3 is based on the Vantage platform rather than the DB9′s, making for a shorter wheelbase and an engine that sits lower in the chassis.

Power comes from a modified version of the road car’s 5.9-liter V12 engine making 600-hp and around 516 lb-ft of torque, which makes it to the ground through an Xtrac 6 speed sequential transmission. Weighing just 2,755 lbs, the V12 Vantage GT3 is eligible to compete in numerous international series and allows Aston Martin to boast that it is the only automaker with a race car available for ever GT class of racing.

Aston Martin will begin testing the new car in October with deliveries to teams in 2012. The cost? £298,000 or roughly half a million dollars.

GALLERY: Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3

First unveiled at the Concorso Villa d’Este, Aston Martin gave its first North American viewing of the custom V12 Zagato at a private event just outside Monterey, as a part of the week long Pebble Beach festivities.

The bespoke exotic is the latest in a long line of collaborations between the classic Italian design house and the British automaker. It might also be the best looking. While still a genuine Zagato, the firm’s often excessively classical design cues have been traded in for some more 21st century style. In particular are the stunning 20-inch wheels. The rounded front and pointed rear are true Zagato traits, integrating some very functional aerodynamics for the race track. In fact, this is the very car Aston Martin competed with at the Nurburgring 24 Hour Race. And yes… it’s had a bit of a touch up since then.

Based on the V12 Vantage model, like that car the Zagato version makes 510-hp!

GALLERY: Aston Martin V12 Zagato

See video fo the V12 Zgato after the jump:

Continue Reading…