The N420 is based on the standard V8 Vantage and makes use of the same 4.7-litre V8 engine with 420-horsepower, but it features an upgraded sport suspension and unique styling cues while also offering a 27kg [60 pounds] weight saving achieved through the application of carbon fibre throughout the car.

Visually, the Vantage N420 is distinguished on the outside by the wider sills,10-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels in a glossy black finish, ‘Graphitic’ tailpipes, black mesh vents and carbon fibre splitter, side strakes and rear diffuser.

The sports car is also offered with new paint finishes with contrasting hues for the cant rails and radiator grille surround – all inspired from the N24 Vantage racers, including Rose’ yellow, ‘Kermit’ green and ‘Elwood’ blue as well as the traditional Aston Martin Racing green.

Inside, the special edition Aston gets an Iridium interior package that includes graphite instruments, leather or Alcantara steering wheel, special N420 sill plaques and lightweight carbon fibre seats, complete with ‘Race Track’ stitching. Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and Park Distance Control are also standard.

The N420 comes with the otherwise optional Sports Pack as standard. The package encompasses revised springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, while the British sports carmaker also throws in a new sports exhaust system.

The V8 Vantage N420 is available as a Coupe or Roadster, and with a six-speed manual or optional Sportshift automated manual transmission. Production begins this month with deliveries commencing in August. Prices in the UK start from £96,995 (about US$146,900 or €117,200 at today’s exchange rates).

via | Carscoop

The most successful Aston Martin of all time (that honor shared with the V8 Vantage), DB9 model defined itself as a grand supreme grace Tourer perfect combination of elegance, sportiness and luxury authentic.

For Ullrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin DB9 car remains a special “Grand Tourer DB9 is the quintessential sports car and offers unrivaled combination between involvement, character, luxury and refinement. This tool combines the unique character of Aston Martin with uncompromising design philosophy, construction manual and performance skills of Aston Martin. ”

The new package complements improvements three basic qualities. Subtle changes of style refreshes DB9’s appearance: a new front bumper, headlamps with a slightly modified design, brake callipers finished in silver, wheels 20 “alloy wheels and rear lights with clear glass stands.

Under the bodywork, passive damping system was replaced with the new adaptive system (ADS), which provides improved comfort and handling but more specific when asked how sports. ADS system is offered as standard in the range Aston Martin DB9, both Coupe and the Volante version (convertible). A new tire pressure monitoring, a Bluetooth system and new finishing Double Apex, with the option Bang & Olufsen hi-fi specifications make the new Aston Martin DB9.

January Minards, director of product development at Aston Martin, explains the process of continuous improvement, “DB9 was the first car built at Gaydon which adopted the VH architecture. This has evolved every year since then, with major changes including the range of engine, being successively reduced CO2 emissions. The last package of improvements going on, highlighting its qualities genuinely DB9 GT sports car. ”

New Aston Martin DB9 is available in coupe and Volante (convertible), with six-speed manual transmission as standard, or the optional six-speed automatic ‘Touchtronic 2′. Its 6.0-liter V12 engine develops 470 hp and 600 Nm.

DB9 revised production has already begun and the first deliveries are expected in July. The starting price is £ 122,445 (about 150,000 euros) for the DB9 Coupe and £ 131,445 (euro 160,000) for version DB9 Volante.

Since its launch in 2003, Aston Martin has built and delivered to customers in 34 countries more than 12,500 units DB9, DB7 surpassing sales model. DB9 current production volume is approximately 1500 cars per year.

The devastating hailstorm that wreaked havoc in the Midwest damaged a lot of property and injured a lot of people, but what really caught our attention is this Aston Martin Rapide that was sitting in the parking of the Midwestern Automobile Media Association. Unfortunately for the owner of the Rapide, he parked his super car directly in front of a tree, which, as a result of the hailstorm, snapped and fell on its hood. The only redeeming factor in this is that it wasn’t that big of a tree that fell, but either way, the damage is still significant enough to cost a ton of money in repairs.

Source:Jalopnik

Via | TopSpeed

The auction is the only one fully   dedicated to the Aston Martin brand. The model in question was built for Max Aitken and was purchased in December 1963 by the current vendor.

The car was used in testings during preparations for the first James Bond movie, ‘Goldfinger’, being measured for the various gadgets, such as ejector seat and machine guns, that would feature on the silver DB5 driven by Sean Connery as Bond in the film.

However, due to the delayed delivery of the DB5s from the factory, Bond franchise producer Cubby Broccoli decided to use this car and spray it silver. In 1974 the car was consigned to a garage where it has remained ever since.

Modifications to the vehicle include a special factory-fitted clutch with lighter ‘push’, an Icelert, an engine vacuum gauge and a thermostatically activated overheating alert. It is estimated to fetch between £40,000-50,000.

“James Bond vehicles are rarely available for sale these days and James Bond Aston Martins are almost impossible to acquire at any price. This car incorporates many of the original ‘Bond gadgets’ from ‘The Living Daylights’ and is a must for any true 007 fan,” Tim Schofield, UK Head of Collectors Motorcars Department, said in a release.

Via | AutoEvolution

The first Aston Martin Rapide first left the factory in Austria. Company officials said that in the coming weeks to model can be admired in showrooms in 34 countries.

Aston Martin officials have reasons of joy because the first copy of their supercar has left the plant in Graz, Austria. Officials said that the British manufacturer model will be admired in the 125 showrooms in 34 countries in the following weeks.

The Aston Martin Rapide concept was seen for the first time at the Auto Show in Detroit in 2006 and in 2009, during the Frankfurt Motor Show the British manufacturer officials have unveiled for the first time the Aston Martin Rapide model.

Britain’s supercar has a 6.0 liter V12 hand made engine which can produce up to 470 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque that the Aston Martin can develop is 600 Nm at 5,000 rpm.

His goal was to design a car which is technically almost identical to the existing production Aston Martins while defining a design character that outmost respects the impressive history of the brand and combine the timeless lines of the past Aston Martins with the modern interpretation of the existing styling. Sahin said:

I believe that Gauntlet matches these two worlds exactly without exaggerating. The familiar Aston Martin proportions define the silhouette of the car while the rather aggressive looking headlights give her a sinister smile that excites you as you approach the front of the car.

Wide grille makes a strong impression and gives the car a unique character. As you approach the back, round and clean surfaces combined with the inherited taillight design complements the existing Aston Martin DNA. Classic icons from the brand’s history like Aston Martin DB3S in particular served itself as an inspiration for some of the proportions and surface interpretation like the high rear and front fenders which gives the car its imposing stance.

Subtle double exhausts combined with the honey comb structure above the diffuser add the car a modern impression. Small details like the side mirror, air outlets compliment the sporty characters while the line and surface structures of the sides profound its elegancy. The name “Gauntlet” refers to the way lines and surfaces overlap or complement each other, not literally but rather emotionally. This visually suggests the feel of wearing a protective armor which its full power and potential is in control of the driver.

What is your opinion about this concept?

Via | GTSpirit

Aston Martin chief moved Cygnet’s appearance on the range and said it had already received 50 orders in the first public day at the Geneva Motor Show.

Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin chief said he already received 50 orders for Cygnet in the early hours that was open to the public at the Geneva Motor Show. The head of the brand in Gaydon has clarified its purpose and Cygnet in the range Aston Martin has responded to some criticisms of the famous British brands.

Even Aston Martin customers with “old states” among the models in Gaydon criticized British producer for the development of Cygnet. Ulrich Bez has answered every letter from its clients with an invitation to the factory Aston Martin to present the construction Cygnet’s and showed that the model is as exclusive as any Aston Martin and the British brand’s values are respected even if this model based on the Toyota iQ.

According to Ulrich Bez, Cygnet is a setback for those of Aston Martin to create highly attractive and sporty performance. The model has a very clear purpose for British brand, which is constructed to reduce CO2 emissions from the brand in Gaydon, but also to provide an exclusive model at a lower price in a difficult period in terms economically. Also, Aston Martin Cygnet presents itself as a more practical version of the V12-engined supercar sites, of which many clients who live in cities can not enjoy too often. Aston Martin employees working 100 hours every Cygnet built, although the chassis, engine and all the necessary elements are provided for the operation of the Toyota.

Autoblog knows that a heads-up race between the two cars wouldn’t even be competitive so they decided to set a handicap. Whereas only one person will be on-board the Rapide, the Panamera will have four people inside of it, with the hopes that the added weight on the Panamera would be a fair compromise for the Rapide.

So they set out to do two separate time tests for both cars – one person on board the Rapide and four people riding the Panamera. Sounds like a fair fight, right?

Turns out, the added bulk in the Panamera didn’t make a difference.

The Porsche luxury sports car easily beat the Rapide’s time in the 0-60mph time, the 0-100mph time, and the 0-100-0mph time. And it did so pretty convincingly.

The Panamera scored times of 4.6 seconds (0-60), 10.6 seconds (0-100), and 15.8 seconds (0-100-0), besting the Rapide across the board, whose times of 5.6 seconds (0-60), 12.2 (0-100), and 17.6 (0-100-0) was far less competitive than we initially thought, especially the pretty significant handicap the Panamera was given.

.

Source:Autocar UK
Via | TopSpeed