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Looking almost identical to the V8 Vantage coupé on which it is based, this is Aston Martin’s latest high-powered concept, the V12 Vantage RS.

At its unveiling at the new Aston design centre in Gaydon, Ulrich Bez, the company’s chief executive, said “We will listen to feedback on this concept and if there is sufficient demand then we will seriously consider a low-volume production run in the near future, with a price that will reflect the exclusivity of the car.”

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Daniel Craig will again drive an Aston DBS, the company’s flagship model, in the next Bond film.

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk 

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written by driive.com \\ tags: Aston Martin

Good keeps getting better over at Aston Martin, who never seem to tire of making their sports cars faster and faster. The latest in the speed wars from their new headquarters in Gaydon is this adrenaline-dripping special-edition V12 Vantage RS.Into what could very well prove to be the fastest, hottest Aston Martin yet, the newly independent British automaker has dropped the V12 reactor not from the recently demised Vanquish, not from the road-going DB9 or Bond-tastic DBS derivative, but from the DBRS9 race car. With somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower (!) pushing 3500 lbs, the V12 Vantage RS is anticipated to clock a 0-60 time in the 3’s on its way to a 200-mph top speed. Performance target: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. That’s highly ambitious, considering that the Fiorano is widely acclaimed as one of the most competent supercars on the planet, but with that kind of juice in such a brilliant package as the Vantage’s, it might not be so far-fetched.

At the time of writing, AutoWeek was the only source carrying the information, and we hope to have more details soon on the special Vantage which was unveiled earlier today on the occasion of the company’s new design center. Although it was launched as a concept, sources suggest it could very well find its way into limited production and slot into the Aston Martin line-up above the current flagship DBS. We certainly hope so.

[Source: AutoWeek via autoblog]

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written by driive.com \\ tags: Aston Martin

Aston Martins rank highly among the most beautiful cars on the road. Granted, they all look pretty much the same – evolutions on a common theme that has ranged from the DB7 through to the upcoming production Rapide four-door – but each one is a study in elegance and sophistication.

Future models, however, are set to be conceived and designed at a new facility which the now independent British sportscar marque is in the process of establishing in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England, at the site of its complex there (pictured above) which the company built to replace its historic home at Newport Pagnell.

The new design center is part of an ambitious program being undertaken by Aston Martin, under the leadership of CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez and chairman David Richards, to dramatically expand its market reach. We can’t wait to see what the boys at Aston cook up next at its fancy new facility.

Our thanks go out to Mikkel for the tip.

[Source: BBC via autoblog]

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written by driive.com \\ tags: Aston Martin

The expansion of Aston Martin’s global dealership network is all set to continue with a move into China for the first time in the company’s 94-year history. The Aston Martin franchise has been awarded to GruppeM, led by CEO Kenny Chen, who has unparalleled experience of the luxury sports car market in China.

The first new showroom will be in Shanghai’s Xin Tian Di District, with an area designed to accommodate five cars. The Shanghai Aston Martin Retail Centre will be the country’s flagship dealer space. There will also be an exclusive Aston Martin service facility located close to Hongqiao airport….continue reading

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written by driive.com \\ tags: Aston Martin, China

Not to be outdone by its own DBS debut at Frankfurt later this month, Aston Martin has released early details of two new, special edition production cars ahead of the show.

Basking in its 2007 track glory, the English manufacturer will build a modified V8 Vantage to the tune of 400bhp and 310lb.ft. Called the V8 Vantage N400, the limited-run car will be available in both coupe and roadster form, automated manual or manual, and feature extensive chassis and suspension tweaks that have already apparently sent it round the Nurburgring under the eight-minute mark. That performance is partly due to a factory-fitted Sports Pack, which emphasises more track-focused handling by the use of upgraded springs and dampers and a new rear anti-roll bar (in the coupe only). Lightweight graphite-finished aluminium wheels with ‘diamond’ turning are also fitted.

The N400 will stand out from the regular Vantage thanks to a new side sill design and now-clear rear lamp lenses. The front grille is finished with a brighter sparkle too, which will neatly contrast with Aston’s three body colours available (Bergwerk Black, Lightning Silver and Karussell Orange). Interior upgrades include new leather seats and micro-spin alloy facia trim. Each car will be given a uniquely numbered door sill plaque.

The other Frankfurt debutant is the DB9 LM. Made in only Sarthe Silver, Aston’s homage to their 24-hourour Le Mans success has a DB9 Sports Pack as standard and looks as good as ever with all meshes and rear crossbar touched up in Magnum Silver. As well as red brake callipers, inside, the LM is finished in black leather and ‘Tetre Rouge’ facia trim. Like the N400, the DB9 LM will provide a numbered plaque to remind the driver just how special the car is.

No pricing info as yet, but expect more details from Frankfurt very soon.

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written by driive.com \\ tags: Aston Martin

An Aston Martin DBRS9 has made motorsport history by becoming the first bio-fuelled car to win a major motorsport event in Britain.

The bio-ethanol powered Aston Martin DBRS9 driven by Lord Drayson and Jonny Cocker, and run by Barwell Motorsport won the latest round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Snetterton on Sunday 3 June.

The Aston Martin racing car was developed by the Prodrive-run Aston Martin Racing team in Banbury, specifically for Lord Drayson to run in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

Lord Drayson said: “This is not a one off, the car has been competitive all season, taking two pole positions and it now leads the championship. It goes to prove that running a car on bio-fuel doesn’t mean any compromise in performance. I hope we can get this message across to motorists everywhere.”

The Aston Martin DBRS9 is based on the Aston Martin DB9 road car but with several modifications to make it suitable for racing. While it retains the DB9’s six litre V12 engine, the fuelling system has been modified and the ECU recalibrated for the bio-ethanol fuel. The drive train and general suspension configuration has also been retained from the road car, but the DBRS9 has racing springs and dampers, as well as a sequential racing gearbox and composite bodywork to help reduce the weight.

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written by driive.com \\ tags: Aston Martin, Green cars