2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato - Car news

Some time ago, Aston Martin introduced the latest version of V12 Zagato Concept, the latest version is a creative idea from the Aston Martin and the Italian coachbuilder, Zagato. The overwhelming popularity of the concept prompted the folks over at Aston to expedite the release of the production car and lo and Behold, we're a few weeks away from seeing the road-ready version of the supercar at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Official details behind the production version have yet to be released, but We do not expect it to be any different from the concept, including the 6.0-liter V12 engine mated to a six-speed automated manual transmission and the output of 510 horsepower and 420 lb / ft of torque.

What we do know Is that Aston Martin has Revealed the price for the limited-run supercar and it's going to take you back £ 330,000, the which is about 538.300 U.S. dollars based on current exchange rates. Will be only 150 models built so if you're in the market for one, better start saving up and Preparing for a speedy reservation.


The production version of the V12 Zagato Will be one of the highlights of Aston Martin's booth at Frankfurt, where it Will be joined by the pair of V12 Zagato race car variants That participated at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring - 'Zig' and 'Zag' - as well as the One-77 supercar and the newly released Vantage Virage and S. Source : Topspeed.com

2011 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe

The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is an exotic GT available in two body styles: coupe and Volante convertible.

Options include front parking sensors and a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system. The rear-wheel-drive DB9 is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 that produces 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Aston Martin estimates that the DB9 will go from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds regardless of transmission. The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 comes with antilock brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, front side airbags (which protect head and torso) and rear parking sensors. Front parking sensors are optional.

The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is striking in the ease with which it drives down the road. First launched in 2004, the DB9 has become Aston Martin's most recognized model.
In addition to the straight-line performance, handling of the newest DB9 is improved thanks to Bilstein shocks, new suspension arms and bushings, and 19-inch wheels. These suspension upgrades resulted in a sportier ride, while the Volante's (convertible model) ride is made cushier.
The DB9's bumpers are invisible. The side strakes - an Aston Martin DB signature - are made from metal. The interior features an elegant center console, finished almost entirely in
die-cast zinc with an iridium finish. The Aston Martin DB9 is also available in a convertible model, designated by the unique Volante name.

You might have seen elsewhere that CAR was embedded in the Aston Martin pit team at the weekend's 2010 Le Mans 24-hour race. A facelifted' 2010 Aston Martin DB9? Yes, let's call it the 2011 model year DB9. Aston types hesitate to use the word 'facelift', it's just part of the continuous improvement that's gradually spruced up the DB9 since launch back in 2003.

CAR bumped into Aston Martin design director Marek Reichmann in the AMR pits at Le Mans and he gave us the lowdown on the 2011 DB9. What's new? The interior of the DB9 is spruced up with some previously unseen toys and equipment. How does the revised DB9 drive?

CAR picks up the fettled DB9 on Sunday night an hour after the end of the Le Mans 24-hour race. Click here to find out how Aston Martin Racing got on at La Sarthe.

2012 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible Sport - First Drive Review

It was a peaceful and elegant scene, the bright sunlight glinting off the top-down Maserati GranTurismo convertibles parked on the Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia in Trieste. Passersby admired the gorgeous cars, one of Pininfarina’s masterpieces. Then a legion of uprated 4.7-liter V-8s ignited with a snarl, and peace and elegance were the last things on our mind.
About that wonderful engine, fitted in the top-spec GranTurismo Convertible Sport. Purists still lament the fact that Maseratis, which were long defined by powerplants that developed peak power at low rpm, are now equipped with high-revving buzzsaws bought from its former arch-rival, Ferrari. But the GranTurismo Convertible Sport's 444-hp variation of the 4.7-liter V-8 is sure to create a few converts.
It’s an evolution of the regular GranTurismo convertible’s 433-horse 4.7-liter with less internal friction thanks to a revised oil sump and slipperier coatings for the valve tappets and cam lobes; this upgraded version also powers the GranTurismo MC Stradale coupe. Compared to its lesser sibling, the droptop Sport exhales through a freer-flowing exhaust, the main purpose of which seems to be to create as much beautiful noise as is legally allowed. It’s aided in that pursuit by active valves that open at 2500 rpm when the transmission is in its Automatic Sport mode. We predict the V-8 will haul the 4600-pound droptop to 60 in 4.8 seconds.
Fantastico Automatico
As in the U.S.-market MC Stradale and the Quattroporte Sport GT S, power flows through a six-speed, torque-converter automatic supplied by ZF. But don’t lament the fact that there’s no hard-core gearbox; the automatic has been extensively reworked for duty here, and offers Normal and Manual Sport modes in addition to the aforementioned Automatic Sport, as well as launch control. Gearshift times are improved by up to 50 percent, it blips the throttle for downshifts, and, in Manual Sport mode, it doesn’t downshift when you hit the kickdown switch or upshift unless you tell it to. There’s more: You can call for a lower gear if there’s any leeway whatsoever before redline (most transmissions won’t let you downshift unless the resulting engine speed is farther down the tach from redline) and the exhaust flaps are always open in Manual Sport. This automatic is so good that you'll hardly miss a dual-clutch transmission—or the Euro-market MC’s single-clutch automated manual. Of course, you might miss a proper clutch-pedal manual gearbox, but Maserati doesn't offer one anymore.
Chassis Changes, Too
Underneath, the front and rear springs and anti-roll bars are stiffer on this derivative, the dampers are modified, and the ZF Sachs–sourced "Skyhook" damping system has been re-tuned. On twisting roads, the Sport handles well and generally does what you ask of it, but there’s simply no masking the car’s two-ton-plus weight or its somewhat uncommunicative steering. The body flexes more than it should, too. To be sure, the GranTurismo Convertible Sport is an enjoyable companion in nearly every situation, but it’s less full-bore sporty than its sinister looks and capital-S “Sport” badge might let on. So when a well-driven Audi R8 Spyder closes in on you from behind, our advice is to just let it pass. Take solace in the fact that the Audi will never sound as glorious as the Maserati, or seat four as comfortably (or at all).
There are a number of competitors: BMW's new 6-series droptop, the soon-to-be-new Mercedes-Benz SL, the Porsche 911 cabriolet, the Audi R8 Spyder, and, of course, the Jaguar XK and its distant cousin, the Aston Martin V-8 Vantage roadster. The Maserati acquits itself well by informal comparison: It’s more spacious than most (even if the trunk is tiny), it’s not outrageously expensive by the standards of the segment, it offers incredibly luxurious accommodations, and it just might have more character than the whole bunch combined. Those qualities ought to satisfy most anyone—trident purists included.

 

 

Source : Caranddriver.com

2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 overviews

The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is built to FIA GT4 regulations and is eligible to compete in the following series: FIA GT4 European Cup; British GT4 Championship; Britcar Endurance Series; German GT4 Championship; Dutch Supercar Challenge; Dutch GT4 Championship; VLN Endurance Championship at the Nurburgring; Australian Endurance Championship; the American SCCA Championship; and the Aston Martin Owners Club Race Series.

The Vantage GT4 comes with either a manual transmission or sportshift transmission. Aston Martin Racing is now the only manufacturer to produce cars in each of the GT classes: GT1, GT2, GT3 and GT4. At 1,330 kg the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is 300 kg lighter than the standard car.
Aston Martin has unveiled today details on a new Vantage GT4 for 2011.

Aston Martin Racing has launched a new Vantage GT4 for 2011. The new V8 engined racing car takes design inspiration from Aston Martin’s V12 Vantage road car, giving it enhanced aerodynamics and increased downforce.

As with the current 4.7 litre Vantage GT4, which made its race debut in 2009, the 2011 car is closely based on the V8 Vantage road car with key attributes being carried over including the aluminium chassis, base engine and suspension design. The Vantage GT4’s new splitter increases downforce at the front of the car, as well as channelling cooling air to the brakes and radiator. At the rear, the car gains the V12’s larger boot ‘flip’.

The new Vantage GT4 will be eligible for this Challenge, as well as the European GT4 Cup and all other series with a GT4 class.

The updated 2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 has just been revealed showcasing a revised engine. The 2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 comes with similar aerodynamics as the V12 Vantage road car, but with increased downforce.

2013 Aston Martin DB9 Spy Photos - Cars News 2011

 

It’s often pointed out that Aston Martins all pretty much look alike. We know that, you know that, and the people who make them must know, too. But an Aston also looks like a Jaguar, a concept with which the team who cloaked this DB prototype appears to have had some fun.

To wit: The car seen here has a Jag-like grille opening—they’ve even gone so far as to put a round faux badge in the middle of the grille. Closer inspection, however, shows that the mouth’s extra width is being covered by some taped-on parts. The LEDs added to the 2011 DB9’s headlights remain, although the lighting units have been partially covered to further the Jag-lookalike goal. When the not-an-Aston ruse falls apart: The car was photographed at AM’s Nürburgring-side facility. Oops.
More telling of future DB changes are the revised fascias front and rear, which appear to have more of an airflow-redirecting purpose. In the rear, there’s a central diffuser element, as well as air vents flanking the exhaust outlets. Larger hood vents are set farther out near the edges of the bonnet. The car’s beautiful, Aston-characteristic shape now has flatter haunches, which is one of the few signs that this is not just another mild refresh—well, at least it will be a less-mild refresh than Astons usually get. And the number plate has moved from the decklid to the rear bumper, finally making it legal for DB9 drivers to haul that PVC pipe back from the home center with the trunk open.

When it was introduced for 2004, the DB9 was the first Aston to make use of the company’s aluminum VH platform. Given this car’s molasses-grade styling evolution and the fact that all current Astons (except for the Cygnet) make use of the platform, we don’t expect those underpinnings to change. A next-gen car could retain the DB9 badge, Aston could enter the four-character-name realm with DB11, or it could draw from the marque’s past, as is the case with the recently reborn, DB9-based Virage.
Whatever the car is called when it’s unveiled sometime next year for the 2013 model year, you can expect a more-powerful V-12 underhood, two real seats up front and two that amount to a parcel shelf in the rear, and a shape that—for better or for worse—is unmistakably Aston Martin.
Source : Caranddriver.com

2011 Aston Martin DB9 Review

2011 Aston Martin DB9 Review

2011 Aston Martin DB9. As an exotic sports car, the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is up against tough competitors like the Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari California. The Aston Martin DB9 holds its ground because it offers one thing the Gallardo and California don’t: a fine-tuned suspension, which creates a comfortable ride that’s great for long trips.

Two critiques, the DB9’s small rear seats and small trunk, are typical for the class. Overall, reviewers find it hard to dislike the Aston Martin DB9. "If God needed wheels, they'd be an Aston Martin DB9 convertible."

Other Sports Cars to Consider
If you’re looking for something more powerful than the Aston Martin DB9, there are plenty of options. It comes standard with a 4.0-liter V8 engine, which is smaller and produces less horsepower than the DB9’s V12, but reviewers say the R8 outshines the DB9 in the performance arena.

For 2011, the Aston Martin DB9 gets a very mild refresh to the front and rear styling -- you'll need side-by-side photos to tell the difference. In the here and now, the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 has more to worry about than its place in a future museum. The DB9 brings to the table the same lightweight yet structurally rigid all-aluminum platform that underpins every Aston Martin. We give the 2011 Aston Martin DB9 our whole-hearted enthusiastic endorsement, but with a significant caveat -- there are a lot of wonderful cars available for the same or less money than the DB9. The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is an exotic GT available in two body styles: coupe and Volante convertible.

Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a two-mode (street and track) active suspension, power-folding mirrors, a limited-slip differential, rear parking sensors, cruise control, automatic climate control, heated power front seats with memory functions, a full leather-trimmed interior, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, a hard-drive-based navigation system, a battery deactivation switch (for extended parking), an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a premium audio system with six-CD changer, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface and satellite radio. The Volante adds a wind deflector.

Options include front parking sensors and a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system. The DB9 is also highly customizable, especially when it comes to exterior paint. There are also plentiful interior trim types and leather hues available.

The rear-wheel-drive DB9 is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 that produces 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic with shift paddles on the steering wheel is available. Aston Martin estimates that the DB9 will go from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds regardless of transmission. The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 comes with antilock brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, front side airbags (which protect head and torso) and rear parking sensors. The Volante comes standard with automatically deploying rollover bars. Front parking sensors are optional.

The cabin's decent outward visibility makes the DB9 less onerous to drive than some other exotics.

Driving Impressions
The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is striking in the ease with which it drives down the road. The DB9 has always been exhilarating to drive, changing direction easily and responding smartly to steering and braking inputs, but now the Sport setting of the two-mode active suspension gives the car a dimension of ultra-high performance, making the discontinued Sport Suspension package unnecessary.

Along with “Touch Tronic” six-speed paddle shifters and six-speed automatic H-model Aston Martin DB9 provides a strong mix of simple and sporty. The Aston Martin DB9 is available as a sedan or tape (successful) with an average rear mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional “2 Touchtronic” Production DB9 six-speed automatic transmission is already underway, with deliveries from July, revised .. Prices from £ 122.445 for the DB9 Coupe DB9 and £ 131.445 for the band.

CARS | Aston Martin DB9 Volante | GALLERY | 2011

Aston Martin DBS Volante will debut in 2009 Geneva Auto Show. End of programming Aston Martin DBS Volante allow new customers a combination of DBS has already established the baseline characteristics of sports car with all the excitement of the open-air driving.

Extended character DBS Aston Martin DBS Volante appeal to motorists who want to combine the pleasure of driving a finely tuned sports car with a refreshing sense of being open to the elements. This juxtaposition of ultimate performance and affects the opening of the senses on all drives, be it an exciting excursion on the roads or disadvantaged cruise on long trips. "Flying" which means "move with speed of light, perfectly defines the potential behavior and dynamic performance of the Aston Martin DBS Volante.

CARS | REVIEWS | Aston Martin DB9 Volante | 2011

CARS | REVIEWS | Aston Martin DB9 Volante | 2011 Since its launch in 2003, the DB9 coupe has become very, very desirable. Order now as it was a work in progress in the early days. It is soft and refined, but can play the super stonking great enthusiasm and with a manual transmission is an absolute riot. But what about flying?

He still looks the part. Despite this DB9 base form is now eight years old, manages to look elegant and desirable. May well have been excluded from care by the Virage and the new DBS, DB9, but has a certain discreet charm by comparison. The latest edition received a minor visual refresh in 2010, with adaptive damping upgrade the mechanical key. Otherwise, the same basic ingredients - 6.0-liter V12 engine, six-speed ZF automatic with paddle shifters, rear and an electro-retractable roof.

2011 Aston Martin DB9 Volante Statistics :
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- Basic price? ==> £137,340
- On sale in the UK ==> Now
- Standard Engine ==> V12, 5935cc, 470bhp @ 6000rpm, 442lb ft @ 5000rpm
- Transmission ==> 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
- Performance ==> 4.6sec 0-62mph, 190mph, 17.2mpg, 345g/km CO2
- How heavy / made of? ==> 1815kg/aluminium
- How big (length/width/height in mm)? ==> 4710/1875/1270mm

CARS ASTON MARTIN DB9 VOLANTE GALLERY PHOTO

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Convertible
Aston Martin claims the car will reach 60 mph in 4.7 seconds with the standard transmission. Other major options comprise 19-inch wheels, a Hard-Dick Drive navigation system, satellite radio, Bluetooth communication interface, and Xenon HID headlights.
Aston Martin stated that the Roadster model records identical performance tests to the Coupe model, despite being two hundred pounds heavier.

Or is that a V12 Vantage? Looking at the pics of this Aston Martin test car snapped by our crack team of spies, it's tough to say if we're looking at a refreshed V8-powered Vantage Roadster, or what might in fact be a V12 Vantage Roadster. Namely, and aside from the gray carbon-look wheels, a carbon fiber front splitter and a rear carbon fiber diffuser.

It all starts with Aston Martin's all-aluminum platform, the same basic chassis that also underpins the Aston Martin DB9, Aston Martin DBS and Aston Martin Rapide. The 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a two-seat sports car available in two body styles: a hatchback coupe and the convertible Roadster. The V12 Vantage is reviewed separately.

The V8 Vantage N420 gets a sport suspension, a lightweight exhaust system, different wheels, carbon-fiber bodywork trim, clear-lens taillamps, power folding mirrors, front parking sensors, cruise control, sport seats, memory functions and Bluetooth. Most of the regular V8 Vantage's options are available, along with faux-suede seat inserts and special paint colors that celebrate Aston Martin's racing heritage: Rose Yellow, Kermit Green, Elwood Blue, Asia Cup Black and White, and Aston Martin Racing Green.

Every 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is powered by a 4.7-liter V8 good for 420 hp and 346 pound-feet of torque. In terms of practicality, the V8 Vantage falls between the comfortable Audi R8 exotic car and the practical Porsche 911 sports car.

Aston Martin volante review

2011 aston martin DB9 volante review
Aston Martin DB9 Volante there is infinitely variable bilstein dampers plus some new cosmetics to beautify this car 2011. Body control is strong but the chassis is supple. The steering feedback is precise.

Completing the DBS line-up, the new Volante affords customers the combination of the DBS’s already-established benchmark sports car characteristics with all the thrills of open-air motoring.

‘Volante’, meaning: ‘moving with light rapidity’, perfectly defines the performance potential and the dynamic characteristics of the DBS Volante.

Aston Martin’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ulrich Bez said: “The DBS Volante delivers the utmost relaxed driving experience with the hood up or down. The DBS Volante offers a subtle mix of power and performance. In standard specification, the DBS has a rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox, while an automatic six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ option is also available. The DBS Volante also comes with Bang & Olufsen’s renowned ‘BeoSound DBS’ in-car entertainment system, featuring 13 speakers as standard equipment. Aston Martin’s 16th convertible, learning taken from the engineering of previous soft-top cars has resulted in the DBS Volante possessing Aston Martin’s quietest and most refined roof system to date. As with the DBS Coupe, the bonnet, front wings and boot lid are formed from carbon fibre. The Volante features 2+2 seating as standard. The beautifully leather trimmed rear seats are ideal for younger persons or extra luggage making the DBS Volante a practical everyday sports car.

Delivered as standard with Bang & Olufsen’s BeoSound DBS audio system and seamlessly integrated into the DBS Volante’s bespoke interior, the system provides the driver and passengers with an unrivalled audio experience. The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS system has been developed exclusively for Aston Martin. The system is acoustically and physically matched to the DBS Volante, with a design that follows the inherent quality and material honesty of the Aston Martin interior. The DBS Volante is powered by the same 6.0-litre V12 engine at the heart of the DBS which was launched in 2007. The 3.71:1 (manual) and 3.46:1 (Touchtronic) final drive ratio assures that all the DBS Volante’s power is useable, while also enhancing in-gear acceleration.

The DBS Volante is available as standard with a rear-mounted 6-speed manual gearbox with gear ratios optimised to extract the very best from the 6.0-litre engine. The Sport setting also incorporates a more responsive throttle map to match the high-performance characteristics of the DBS Volante.

Augmenting the DBS Volante’s supreme handling characteristics is the near perfect weight distribution – achieved by mounting the 6-speed gearbox at the rear placing 85% of the weight between the front and rear axle.

To take full advantage of its extremely precise and rigid platform, the DBS employs a sophisticated Adaptive Damping System (ADS) which is specifically tuned for the DBS Volante maximising ride comfort. The DBS Volante’s Adaptive Damping System perfectly captures the car’s sporting character, ensuring that stiffer dampers are available for better handling and control when the car is being driven enthusiastically, without compromising ride comfort during ‘normal’ driving conditions. The DBS Volante also has a revised Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Volante to help maintain maximum traction in challenging driving conditions. This results in reducing the overall weight of the car and, in particular, the unsprung weight and rotational masses, further enhancing the DBS Volante’s dynamics.

With a 510bhp V12 engine, the Aston Martin DBS Volante makes you feel like a film star.
Uli Bez, Aston Martin's chief executive, has some pretty firm ideas on style and isn't afraid to express them. There's a lot of bare metal in the cabin, so our first winter driving impressions of the DBS Volante (that's drophead to you and me) mainly involve cold hands touching freezing switches and dials and a bone-chilling bare aluminium gear knob. Gloves, anyone?

That said, there are some tactile and visual highlights in the Aston's cabin, albeit not those concerning the Ford Fiesta steering column stalks.

The rest of the cabin, though, is a delight of soft claret leather, immaculate stitching, comfortable seats and tiny amounts of luggage room, including those laughably small rear seats, which would struggle to accommodate Barbie and Ken.
There's nowhere to hide. Delivering 510bhp at 6,500rpm, such is the colossal torque that the engine barely needs working to that extent.

2011 Aston Martin Rapide review

2011 Aston Martin Rapide. Under the derma is Aston Martin’s accepted bonded-aluminum assemblage physique and rear-mounted transaxle, while the 6.0-liter V12 is aggregate with the DB9. The Rapide is abundant larger, however. Beyond the 9.8 inches of added wheelbase, the Rapide is 12 inches best all-embracing and 10 inches wider.

The Aston Martin Rapide is rear-wheel drive and is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 acceptable for 470 application and 443 pound-feet of torque.

The 2011 Aston Martin Rapide that’s not covered in bendable leather, while wood, admixture trim and even azure clear ample in the blanks.
The 2011 Aston Martin Rapide sees no significant changes, but there is a new Luxe edition that includes major options, normally extra-charge colors and a custom luggage set.

Times have changed, thanks to the 2011 Aston Martin Rapide. Under the skin is Aston Martin's customary bonded-aluminum unit body and rear-mounted transaxle, while the 6.0-liter V12 is shared with the DB9. The Aston Martin Rapide is much larger, however. Beyond the 9.8 inches of additional wheelbase, the Rapide is 12 inches longer overall and 10 inches wider. So it's based on the DB9 and looks like the DB9, but does the Aston Martin Rapide drive like one as well?

The "2011 Aston Martin Rapide" is a four-passenger, four-door sedan with a hatchback-style trunk. Standard equipment includes 20-inch cast-aluminum wheels, adaptive dampers, a limited-slip differential, bi-xenon headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, power outside mirrors, front and rear automatic climate control, power front seats with memory functions, heated front and rear seats, a full leather interior, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, a hard-drive navigation system and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system with a CD player, an iPod/USB audio interface, an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.

The Rapide Luxe gets special wheels, standard ventilated front and rear seats, a secondary glass-trimmed key fob, glass switchgear, a rear-seat entertainment system, a six-piece bespoke luggage set that matches the interior leather, and custom paint and leather colors. The Aston Martin Rapide is rear-wheel drive and is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 good for 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. According to Aston Martin, the Rapide will go from zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds, which is certainly quick, but notably slower than luxury sport sedans like the supercharged Jaguar XJ and Porsche Panamera Turbo. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 15 mpg combined.

The Rapide comes standard with antilock disc brakes, brake assist, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Front and rear parking sensors are also included.
The driver seat is marvelously comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom for taller drivers.
Climb into the 2011 Aston Martin Rapide's snug driver seat and you might think you're actually in a DB9. Owners simply must be mindful of their pretty Aston Martin's underbody and chin spoiler.

It is neither, but a handsome and elegant transformation of the DB9 and Aston design heritage into a 4-door sports car.

No, Rapide is not Aston’s answer to Porsche’s Panamera. The English machine is more a generous 2+2 with extra doors. Aston did the reverse.
Aston says the Rapide is the DB9 back to the A-pillar...traditional grille, swept-back headlamps, and the side strake. The rear gets us back to DB9 thinking.

The front suspension comes from DB9. Aluminum is used for all you see outside save the rear fender structure (steel) and the front fenders and rear tailgate (SMC composite). Entry and exit to the front seats is easy with plenty of room available. Setting the driver’s seat for my 6-foot frame, I slipped in the seat behind it. Equipped with a rear-mounted 6-speed automatic, 0-60 mph comes up in 5.1 seconds, the acceleration curve climbing to 184 mph.

Aston Martin DBS by Anderson Black Matte Edition

German tuning specialist Anderson has released another program. This time it's the Aston Martin DBS, get the appropriate treatment and an appropriate name Superior Black Edition.

The matt black British sports car got some badass wheels, a carbon interior and a new exhaust system. Unofficial information indicates that the engine produces an uprated 560hp.

2011 Aston Martin DBS Coupe

2011 Aston Martin DBS Coupe is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 that produces 510 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque. Aston Martin DBS coupe estimates will accelerate from zero to 100 km / h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds.

Interiors 2011 Aston Martin DBS Coupe is one of the best examples of British art. Thin carbon fiber trim and elegant lines of the port areas of cut aluminum wheels and an optional piano black trim (a must-have) adorn the center console.

2011 Aston Martin DBS Coupe should be quite a few safety equipment for an exotic sports car. Stability and traction control and ABS brakes are standard carbon-ceramic disc. Side airbags front and rear fog lights are standard.

The special edition Carbon Black trim features lightweight carbon fiber and Kevlar sport seats with black leather trim and silver stitching, piano black trim, gloss black alloy wbeels, six-speed auto transmission, anodised black tread plates and a bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint.

Sporting a 510-horsepower V-12, massive wheels and a low-slung hood, the DBS competes with supercars like the Ferrari 599 GTB and Maserati GranTurismo. The rear-wheel-drive DBS crowns Aston Martin's three-car lineup and is available as a coupe or convertible. It shares its platform with the similarly styled DB9 and less expensive V8 Vantage, both of which have convertible variants.

New for 2011
There are no significant changes for 2011.

Exterior
Those who have seen a mid-'90s DB7 or anything newer should recognize the DBS as an Aston. Its trapezoidal grille and low-slung hood mimic the V8 Vantage and DB9; the front air dam is larger, the bumper has a few more etchings, and the rear sports an aggressive underbody air diffuser. Exterior features include:
• Constructed from lightweight aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber
• Aluminum chassis
• Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
• LED taillamps
• 20-inch wheels standard
• Available lightweight 20-inch wheels
• Power retractable fabric roof (convertible)
Interior
The two-seat interior looks much like that of the DB9. The center stack starts with the air-conditioning vents up top and flows down to the center armrest. A small cargo area behind the seats can hold a custom luggage set. The rear cargo area can be replaced with additional seats to increase seating capacity to four. This configuration comes standard on the convertible. Interior features include:
• Leather-upholstered dashboard, armrest, steering wheel and seats
• Choice of ultrathin racing seats or chunkier, but still heavily bolstered, sport seats
• Available navigation system
• Available Bang & Olufsen stereo
Under the Hood
The engine sits in front of the driver and passenger but is pushed back toward the center of the car. The automatic transmission is similar to the unit used in the DB9, but with beefed-up internal parts to handle the extra power. Mechanical features include:
• 510 hp and 420 pounds-feet of torque
• Mid-mounted 6.0-liter V-12
• Zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds
• Standard six-speed manual transmission
• Available six-speed automatic with paddle shifter
• Adaptive suspension adjusts dampers to changing road conditions
Safety:
• Antilock brakes
• Traction control
• Electronic stability system

Aston Martin DBX Concept Design Photos and Details

Aston Martin Virage Introduces New at Geneva Motor Show, a new version of the DB9, which has found its place within the range of manufacturer precisely between the DB9 and DBS.

A few days ago, in a Midnight baffles, I was wondering if the Vantage (V8) did not become the Porsche 911 Aston Martin.

Aston Martin has been successful for several years now, finding his style and the decline until the sublime One-77.

But what looks like the Aston Martin of tomorrow? That is a matter of great concern to designers.

DBX This Concept is the response of two students: Norbert Adamowicz and Łukasz Kadula, aged 21

Aston Martin Introduces AMR-One Le Mans Racer Photos

Aston Martin had unveiled an image of the AMR-One so far. The brand chose the opposite policy of Peugeot and Audi for this prototype: an open car and a petrol engine.

Aston Martin has abandoned its proto closed, based on a Lola for a car designed in-house, which is simpler in terms of logistics.

The previous model used the same as the V12 GT1. The AMR-One is equipped with a V6 turbocharged direct injection. The gearbox is supplied by Xtrac, a partner in several F1 teams.

Live from Geneva Aston Martin Virage, evolution

This year's booth Aston Martin is colorful with a V8 Vantage S Blue Shift and the latest version of copper. It is the latter which is the main novelty of the brand because it is a completely new model! The Virage is structured the same aluminum VH platform than her sisters, she also includes the 6.0-liter V12 that develops home here 497ch (58.7 mkg of torque). A power that turns the place between the DB9 (476) and DBS (517). It's the whole point of this Virage said Dr. Ulrich Bez: it provides comfort and versatility of a DB9, combined with the sporty character of the DBS.

The new Aston Martin Virage Nearly 500 PS model is presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2011

Virage is powered by a V12 engine with six liters of displacement. The unit also occurs in the sister models and achieves something more than the DB9 and DBS slightly less than the 497 hp. The maximum torque is 570 Newton meters. The force is managed through a Touchtronic II six-speed transmission, which sits on the rear axle. This transaxle design provides for an Englishman called for a weight ratio of 50:50. The propeller shaft is made of carbon. Top speed is the manufacturer of 299 mph. From zero to 100 km / h, the sports car accelerates in 4.6 seconds.

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

Aston Martin will offer this car in coupe and roadster versions complete with V12 Vantage styling. At the rear of the car is a more pronounced deck lid, which Aston claims will reduce lift at high speeds. The carbon fiber rear diffuser will also help airflow from underneath the car. These features may be functional, but they also help to distinguish this new model from the base version in an already tight model lineup. The sporting feel increases further if the driver presses the sport button allowing the exhaust bypass valves to open fully and let out a strong V8 rumble.

Interior appointments are rounded out by embroidered "Vantage S" logos in the carpets and headrests.

Aston Martin builds each of its V8 engines at their facility in Cologne, Germany. Aston Martin wanted this car to be driver-focused with a more involving character overall. The standard Vantage features a 6-speed sport shift transmission that is more than capable of performing well in the car, but Aston engineers wanted more. Utilizing a carbon fiber driveshaft and other performance components, the Vantage S will have weight distribution of 49/51. The Porsche GTS line may be the most compelling comparison considering that it bridges the gap for Porsche between the base models and Turbos. Improved exterior bodywork, tweaked engines, and slight handling improvements make the GTS line a success while keeping the price down from an all out Turbo model. The Carrera GTS produces 408 hp at 7300rpm and 310 lb-ft at 4200rpm.

The Aston packages a more powerful version of its V-8 with some of the V-12 Vantage’s aggressive bodywork.

The automated transmission is standard (read: no available manual) because, Aston tells us, a majority of V-8 Vantage buyers opt for the paddle-shifted Sportshift automatic already.

The Vantage S, which is available as a coupe or roadster, patterns its side sills, rear deck, rear bumper, and carbon-fiber front fascia after those of the V-12 Vantage. A new 19-inch V-spoke wheel design is standard, while lightweight 10-spoke wheels are optional. The rear wheels are a half-inch wider than those of the non-S V-8 Vantage, and all four wheels are wrapped in new Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tires that are 10 mm wider than the base car’s.

Aesthetically, the V8 Vantage S taps its twelve-cylinder sister for exterior looks in both coupe and roadster trim. Acoustically, it gets a new exhaust system and bypass valve tuning to create a "distinctive and highly vocal exhaust note," according to Aston Martin.

Aston sees it as a bridge to the gap between the Vantage GT4 racer and the standard V8 Vantage road car.

Aston Martin Vantage refreshes the unfolding today in a version of S

After a rather dubious version N420 Aston Martin finally decided to update its small sport. Here is the V8 Vantage S. On the agenda for rejoicing, 30 pounds less (1610 kg) and a 4.7-liter V8 436ch optimized to develop for 50 Kgm. An increase of 10 hp and 2.1 mkg. It is associated with a brand new transmission that would be 20% robotic faster than the current Sportshift. The exhaust has also been revised to provide a more aggressive sound and worthy of the designation "S". For the first time the "baby Aston"and its V8 surpassing the 300km / h (305 to be exact). 0-100km / h has not been announced.

Blanc de Blancs: Aston Martin Vantage Roadster V8 seen by Graf Weckerle

Blanc de Blancs: Aston Martin Vantage Roadster

Blanc de Blancs: Aston Martin Vantage Roadster

Blanc de Blancs: Aston Martin Vantage Roadster

Luxury, refinement, sensuality, beauty, exclusivity, etc ... The qualifiers would not fail to salute the association between Aston Martin and the preparer of the Netherlands Graf Weckerle. Everything would be sufficient and even almost perfect if only those wheels.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Blanc de Blancs obviously derives his name from the famous Chardonnay. The exterior is adorned with a sparkling white livery with green piping and gold buttons as you can see on the bottles of brew.