Aston Martin Quietly Unwraps Rapide Luxe Special Edition

What's better than a sleek Aston Martin Rapide? No, not some German competitor, but the Rapide Luxe, a special edition version of the British sports saloon that quietly appeared on the automaker's official website.

Those expecting more power or even better handling are going to be disappointed, as the Rapide Luxe is all about trim and styling offering extra color options, new wheel designs, added standard content and a bespoke six-piece luggage set.

Customers can choose from a range of colors including the Concours Blue and Quantum Silver. The car rides on 20-inch alloys, just like the standard Rapide, but the wheels wrapped around in Bridgestone Potenza's feature a different, 20-spoke design with a polished finish.

Inside, the grain leather that covers almost everything can also be specified in colors from the Fast Track or Contemporary range, matching it to the exterior tones or even creating an interesting contrast. Other visual improvements include unique Rapide Luxe sill plates, main control switches with glass face and a secondary glass key.

Ventilated front and rear seats come as standard, alongside the Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system that features two 6.5-inch LCD screens, integrated into the back of front seat headrests and "optimally positioned at eye level".

The six-piece luggage set, made of course from the finest leather, can be ordered in the same Fast Track or Contemporary range of colors and consists of a small, two medium and a large hold-all, a beauty case and a garment bag.

Nothing has changed under the hood, so the 6.0-liter V12 continues to deliver 477 hp and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque allowing the Rapide Luxe to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 296 km/h or 184 mph.

For details on pricing, buyers will have to contact their local Aston Martin dealer.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Aston Martin , Via: Autoblog.nl

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Aston Martin Cygnet makes its global debut... in Harrods window

Ah, Harrods. Not only is it the swankiest and largest department store in the world, but starting from today and up until December 11, it will also be home to Aston Martin's new luxury city car, the Cygnet. The British firm's polished up Toyota iQ is making its global debut at the renowned shopping center in London occupying a prominent position in the store's Brompton Road window display.

The British automaker has not yet released technical specifications on the Cygnet, but it is believed that the three-meter long (117.5-in.) mini will keep the iQs 1.33-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 98-horsepower, hooked up to a 6-speed manual or an optional CVT.

The controversial mini with the Aston Martin badge will be assembled at the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire with regular production and sales to start in early 2011. However, the company statedthat the order books for the Cygnet have already opened, with existing Aston Martin owners believed to be given a priority at launch.

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VIDEO: Aston Martin Releases V8 Vantage N420 Promo

The N420 is another motorsport-inspired V8 Vantage. It's a successor to the 2007 N400 and it has been created to celebrate Aston Martin's achievements in the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Now, the British maker has released the first promotional video featuring its latest special edition sports car.

Borrowing the 4.7-liter engine from the stock V8 Vantage, the N420 is quicker due to the fact that it's 27 kg (60 lbs) lighter. Engineers achieved this by using carbon fiber components.

The handling has been also improved, as Aston Martin decided to offer the Sports Pack as part of the standard equipment. The package includes revised springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

Inside, the most capable Vantage comes with updated instruments, leather or Alcantara steering wheel, lightweight racing seats and special N420 sill plaques. Prices in the UK start from £96,995, about US $155,638 or €112,277 at today's exchange rates.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: Aston Martin One-77 hits the Nürburgring

A while back, Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, said that "the One-77 is approaching a production reality and… the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition."

Well, it seems that engineers and test drivers are indeed refining this 750-horsepower beast these days, as a prototype model has been caught on video while frantically lapping the Nürburgring race track.

The mighty 7.3-liter V12 can catapult Aston Martin's finest to 60 mph [96 km/h] in just 3.5 seconds, while the supercar's top speed has exceeded expectations, as Aston Martin's engineers were able to hit 220 mph (355 km/h), considerably more than the initially estimated top speed of 200 mph.

The One-77 will go on sale in 2011 and it will cost £1.25 million (US $1.99 million or €1.43 million).

By Csaba Daradics

Video: AMS

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VIDEO: Aston Martin Execs Try to Convince Everyone the Cygnet is not a Toyota...

Now that the Aston Martin Cygnet has officially received the green light, the brand of James Bond has put together again CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez and design director Marek Reichman for the Cygnet PR video below.

The 4-passenger Cygnet, based on Toyota's iQ city car, is meant to provide Aston Martin owners something more practical for daily use within cities and still offer said owners the level of exclusivity they desire. That means it can be ordered with all the same interior and exterior colors, leathers, and materials found on any other Aston.

While based on a Toyota, the Cygnet will officially be manufactured as its own standalone model - a coach-built compact, if you will - in Warwickshire, England. An official announcement has not been made regarding the power train, but it will likely get the iQ's standard 3-cylinder (possibly with a sport intake/exhaust setup).

By Phil Alex

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Aston Martin Cygnet Mini Confirmed for Production, Sales Start in 2011

It's officially official; Aston Martin today confirmed that the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet luxury city car is to go into production with sales to start in 2011. The British automaker said details on pricing and specification will be announced by the end of this year. However it is believed the Cygnet will cost between £30,000-50,000 in the UK, or about US$47,500-79,000 / €34,000 -57,000 at the current exchange rates, and will initially be sold only to existing Aston customers.

Originally shown as a pre-production concept car at this year's Geneva Salon in March, the Cygnet is an Aston Martin-flavored version of the Toyota iQ city car with unique styling cues such as the front grille, bumper designs, exterior trim and alloy wheels, plus a high-luxury interior with details inspired by the automaker's supercar range.

"It is time to think differently. Aston Martin is honest and we don't make compromises" says Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.

"Whatever we do, we do right. If we do performance, we do performance; we don't downsize or compromise our sports cars. The Cygnet needs to satisfy the demands of emissions and space. It is a car without compromise, just like every other Aston Martin. Our customers need a small car for urban and city use, and they want the right tools for the right job, to downsize creatively without compromising intelligence, artistry and personality."

Dr Bez added: "The Cygnet is designed to support our sports cars by providing a greater degree of freedom in the urban context; it is a very special car, a premium but compact package with heart, soul and personality. This car is reality; Cygnet is the natural choice for those who want a premium, bespoke commuter car."

The baby Aston Martin will be built at the company's Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, with the base Toyota iQs being imported to the UK from Japan. It is expected that the three-meter long (117.5-in.) Cygnet will keep the iQs 1.33-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 98-horsepower, hooked up to a 6-speed manual or an optional CVT.

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Aston Martin Recalling over 1,000 U.S. Vehicles Over Safety Concerns

British sportscar maker Aston Martin has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety recall 1,090 DB9, V8 Vantage and DBS vehicles built between 2007 and 2008.

In a letter sent by Aston Martin to the NHTSA, the British carmaker reported that the camber bolt that holds the front bottom suspension arm was not made to specification and "could crank along its shank" (shaft).

According to the company, this would allow the lower control arm to move freely, affecting the driver's ability to steer, and thus increasing the risk of a crash. The letter went on to say that drivers may hear a metallic rattling sound if the lower control arm had loosened in such a fashion.

An Aston Martin spokesperson told Bloomberg news that the defect was detected through company testing, not through any customer complaints. He went on to say that the driver would still be able to steer, but may notice 'looser handling'.

To rectify the defect, dealers will replace the affected camber bolts free of charge. Aston Martin has notified the NHTSA that the safety recall will begin on or before October 18th of this year.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: NHTSA / Bloomberg

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Aston Martin Drops More Video of its One-77, Confirms Engine Specs

Aston Martin has released a new video (part four of a series, apparently) detailing its One-77 mega-super-hyper car flagship as well as showing it out on the track. Specifications? Sure thing. The 7.3-liter V12 has been officially certified at 750 horsepower and 750 Nm (553.2 lbs-ft) of torque making it -according to the company- the most powerful naturally aspirated road car engine in the world today.

Throughout the video you'll see some beautiful details of the million-dollar (actually £1.25 million) Aston flagship, including the side mirror mounts molded into the door shells and close-ups of the wraparound jewel-like tail light.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, says, "The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project. Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of."

Come 2011, sheiks, rulers, and Daniel Craig should expect to receive their own customized version from the 77 one-offs Aston intends to build. Hopefully at Paris we'll get a chance to see it in a new color.

By Phil Alex

Aston Martin's New Le Mans 24 Hour Race Contender

Meet Aston Martin's new LMP1 racer with which the British firm plans to compete in the 2011 edition of the famed Le Mans 24 Hour race. Pictured here in a teaser sketch dressed in Gulf Oil livery, the new race car is being designed from the ground up with an Aston Martin open cockpit monocoque chassis and a new purpose-built race gasoline engine.

The automaker said work on the new chassis and powerplant has been progressing for several months at Aston Martin Racing's headquarters in Banbury, UK and the first of a limited number of six cars will hit the tarmac in early 2011.

Aston Martin Chairman, David Richards said:

"Having won the GT category twice at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 and the Le Mans Series outright in 2009, we still want to achieve our ultimate goal of winning the 24 Hour race overall to bring the title back to Britain."

"In recent years, it has been impossible for petrol cars to compete on equal terms with the diesels. However, we now have assurances from the ACO [Automobile Club De L'Oues] that, with the adoption of the 2011 regulations, they will properly balance the performance of these new cars. Under these circumstances we have been prepared to develop Aston Martin's first purpose-built racing chassis and engine for more than 50 years."

"Even with this new car, it will still be a 'David and Goliath' fight against the massive resources of our competitors, but we have become accustomed to this and relish the challenge."

The first and only time Aston Martin won the Le Mans was in 1959 with the DBR1 of Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby. However, the British firm has had two GT1 class victories at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008, and an overall Le Mans series win in 2009.

Britain Officially out of Recession... Rusty Old Aston Sells for Over £200,000 / US$300,000

When you think about it, the £160,000 (US$247,000) Aston Martin DBS is a little too common. Sure it's a beautiful machine with a monster V12 under the hood, but everyone and his mother has one these days. Now, what the car connoisseur needs is something a bit rarer; something that's unique. A vehicle with real motoring history coursing through its corroded veins. A fixer upper, even.

Fortunately - for one buyer at least - such a car exists. At Barsons' British Heritage Sale at Sandown Park, a very rare Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III drophead coupe went up on the auction block with an asking price of £80,000-£100,000 (US$123,000-US$154,000). Not too extravagant; one could easily afford a spanking-new Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster or Coupe for that measly amount.

By the conclusion of the sale, however, this particular DB2/4 had fetched the rather more Barsons'-esque price of £206,866 (US$318,875). The Aston, once owned by company founder David Brown and which had spent the better part of thirty years under a tarpaulin, fetched twice Barson's top estimate.

Barons' Managing Director Laurence Sayers Gillan was quoted: "It was an amazing lot that attracted a huge amount of attention and exceeded all expectations."

And with the auction making around £700,000 (US$1.08 million), Sayers Gillan was no doubt laughing all the way to the bank. Recession? What recession?

Also auctioned off – albeit at far more mundane prices – were a very special '66 Lotus Cortina (£40,250 / US$62,000) and a '57 Daimler Conquest Century convertible (£29,000 / US$44,700). One can only speculate on the condition and pedigree of these vehicles given their "humble" sale prices.

By Tristan Hankins