Automobiles Review

Tag: Aston

  • Aston Martin Cygnet – birthday present

    Sir Stirling Moss has made a very nice present to his wife – Lady Moss. The culmination of six months planning and “secret” correspondence between Sir Stirling and Aston Martin to plan a surprise birthday present for Lady Moss.

    “My greatest partner in everything that I do, Susie is an amazing person and frankly the best wife a man could have. Since seeing a pre-production Cygnet in January I knew that it was the perfect car for Susie; a proper little piece of British luxury and perfect for our life in town.”, commented Sir Stirling Moss.

    Aston Martin Cygnet shares much in terms of design and craftsmanship with the company’s sports cars. It is of course hand-crafted at Aston Martin’s headquarters in Gaydon, taking 150 hours to complete. Furthermore, specifications for Lady Moss’s car include Sir Stirling’s choice of Aston Martin Racing Green, harking back to the company’s sports cars that Sir Stirling raced in the 1950s, as the paint colour. This iconic exterior has been complemented by a simple and elegant interior hand crafted in Obsidian Black leather with a contrasting coarse silver stitch, forming a typically understated combination.

    Sir Stirling’s own driving career with Aston Martin saw him drive a number of the company’s racing cars including the famous DB3S and DBR1 models with great success. This culminated in being part of the factory team that in 1959 secured the company the World Sportscar Championship following victories in the DBR1 at such prestigious races as the Le Mans 24-hour.

    Aston Martin Cygnet - birthday present
    Aston Martin Cygnet – birthday present
    Aston Martin Cygnet - birthday present
    Aston Martin Cygnet - birthday present
    Aston Martin Cygnet - birthday present
    Aston Martin Cygnet - birthday present
    Aston Martin Cygnet - birthday present

    Source: Aston Martin

  • Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition

    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Editio
    Aston Martin has introduced Cygnet Colette special edition, which is designed by the Paris fashion house. Only 14 units of the limited edition Cygnet & Colette will be produced. All of them are handcrafted and there are limitless options personalised precisely to customer specification through the brand’s world famous Works Service facility.

    The Works Tailored team has created unique “Cygnet & Colette” elements including:

    • Stainless steel hand formed and engraved door handle badges
    • ‘Cygnet & colette’ branded hand enamelled boot badging manufactured by Thomas Fattorini
    • Quilted Alcantara sun visors to complement the quilted leather door and seat inserts
    • Hand trimmed, quilted colette blue leather occasional cushions for the rear seats
    • ‘Cygnet & colette’ branding on satellite navigation start up
    • A unique ‘Cygnet & colette’ key ring machined from solid aluminium with blue enamelling

    “Aston Martin and colette are both cool brands that successfully blend modernity and innovation. It made perfect sense to work together and create this limited piece of automotive fashion for the city.”, commented Aston Martin Director of Design, Marek Reichman.

    “The colette car is the first of the exclusive ‘Cygnet &’ collaborations. These cars will give Aston Martin a relevant platform to reach out to new customers in urban areas.”, he added.

    Prices start from €48 995.

    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition
    Aston Martin Cygnet Colette Special Edition

    Source: Aston Martin

  • Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring

    Aston Martin is putting the final touches to its race preparations for the toughest 24 hour race of them all – the annual ADAC Nurburgring 24 Hours on 25 and 26 June. Two V12 Zagato cars will compete in this challenge.

    The first one is the show car from Concorso D’Eleganza at Villa D’Este, which has been transformed into the number 3 race car, nicknamed “Zag” (red). It will be piloted by Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, the company’s Nurburgring Test Centre Director, Wolfgang Schuhbauer and automotive journalists Horst von Saurma and Matthew Marsh.

    The second V12 Zagato is a green race car – nicknamed “Zig” with number 5, which will be raced by One-77 Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, experienced sports car driver Oliver Mathai, automotive journalist Richard Meaden and experienced amateur racer Peter Cate.

    Aston Martin V12 Zagato - Zag
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato – Zag

    Furthermore, at the race track will be a V8 Vantage GT4 nicknamed “Smurf” – which will be driven by Aston Martin Racing works driver, Darren Turner, journalist and experienced 24 hour driver, Shinichi Katsura, Australian racer Rob Thomson and seasoned Nürburgring pilot Jurgen Stumpf.

    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring - Zig
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring – Zig

    “Our entries this year extend our Nürburgring racing philosophy. For five years now we have signed-off our new products by entering a car which is as close to the road car as possible and subjecting it to the toughest 24 hour test on what best simulates the extremities of public roads. This year we go a step further by testing a car at prototype stage.”, commented Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, David King.

    “As ever, the race will present an enormous challenge in a vast and increasingly competitive field which will be fraught with all the unpredictable elements associated with racing at the Nürburgring. However, we are excited by the potential we have seen from the V12 Zagato in the testing we’ve completed and that gives us great hope for the task ahead. We look forward to a safe, successful and enjoyable race for our teams and customers.”, he added.

    V12 Zagato has a new handcrafted aluminium body and is powered by a smooth 6.0 liter V12 with 517PS (380 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. It also has a specially developed chassis for maximum performance.

    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring

    Source: Aston Martin

  • Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring

    Aston Martin has prepared two endurance race car concepts, which will return to the Nurburgring this weekend for final tests before the 24-hour race.

    This warm-up race – used as a test session ahead of the Nürburgring 24-hour race which takes place between 25th – 26th June – will be the first time two new V12 Zagato race cars have been in action together after one of the pair enjoyed its first running under race conditions at the 53rd ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN race last month. This weekend will be used to refine race setup and allow further driver familiarisation with the new cars on the 25.378km circuit.

    Introduced as a modern interpretation of the famous Aston Martin and Zagato collaboration in the 50th anniversary year of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, the V12 Zagato revives a collaboration which has produced some of the most beautiful and sought-after cars in the world. The partnership takes inspiration from the past to create a modern interpretation based on Aston Martin’s ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range: the V12 Vantage.

    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring

    The 51st ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen VLN5 four-hour race starts at noon Central European Time on Saturday 11th June with live updates on the progress of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato available by following @astonmartin – the company’s official Twitter feed.

    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring
    Aston Martin V12 Zagato Nurburgring

    Source: Aston Martin

  • 2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

    Aston Martin has revealed the new V12 Zagato endurance racer concept. The car will make its official debut at the Villa D’Este Concours in Italy.

    “The Zagato design language is a perfect complement to our design and engineering expertise. After 50 years of the two companies being associated with each other the partnership has produced some of the world’s most iconic cars.”, commented Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin.

    “Of course, fifty years ago Italian design houses were widely seen as leading the way with new designs but now and supported by our independency, Aston Martin has its own in-house design ability so this new venture with Zagato is more collaborative than it perhaps would have been in the past.”, he added.

    “The task for us has been to create a concept that is a natural successor to those iconic cars that have gone before. Matching the technology of the age with the traditional skills vital to deliver such a bespoke and exclusive sports car will lead to a strictly limited run of road going V12 Zagatos.”, Mr. Bez fisnished.

    The project started in 2010, when Aston Martin and Zagato had initial meetings and took the decision to proceed with the project.

    V12 Zagato features a new handcrafted aluminium body, a mighty 6.0 liter V12 with 517PS (380 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque, and specially developed chassis for maximum performance.

    The racing debut of the V12 Zagato will be at the 53. ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN round at the Nurburgring on 28th May with a view to two cars racing at the 24 hour race on 25/26 June.  The cars will be driven by an experienced driver team, led for the sixth year by Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez.

    The Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be exhibited for the first time at the Villa D’Este Concours on Saturday 21st May 2011.

    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
    2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

    Source: Aston Martin

  • Aston Martin Cygnet configurator

    Aston Martin has launched the online configurator for its new super-mini Cygnet. The car is based on Toyota iQ, but it is far more stylish and luxurious.

    Aston Cygnet is powered by а 1.33 litre dual VVT-I four-cylinder petrol engine with 98PS (72 kW) at 6000RPM and 125Nm (92 lb-ft) at 4400RPM. 0 to 100 km/h takes 11.8 seconds and the top speed is 170 km/h (106 mph). The small city car returns 56.5 mpg – 5 l / 100 km.

    The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual with Stop & Start technology and gear shift indicator and there is an optional Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) with Eco Driving Indicator.

    Cygnet is offered with a vast range of exterior paint schemes and a choice of four 16” sets of wheels. There are also go-faster stripes, which can be painted in either the same color as the body or in gloss black.
    Aston Martin Cygnet configurator

    2012 Aston Martin Cygnet:

    Body

    • Two door body style with full width tailgate and 4 seats
    • Bright Aluminium front upper and lower grilles
    • Bright Metal side strakes with Magnum Silver mesh
    • Bi-halogen headlights
    • LED tail lamps
    • Rear spoiler and diffuser blade
    • Body coloured door mirrors, heated and electrically retractable
    • Side turn indicators on outer door mirrors
    • Rain sensing wipers
    • Dusk sensing headlamps
    • Front fog lamps
    • Rear privacy glass with washer jet and wiper
    • Rear Parking sensors
    • Rear tailgate Bright finisher

    Performance

    • Max Power 72kW(97bhp/98PS) at 6000rpm
    • Max Torque 125 Nm (92 lb ft) at 4400 rpm
    • Max Speed 106 mph(170km/h)PREDICTED
    • Acceleration 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) 6-speed manual: 11.8 seconds PREDICTED
    • Acceleration 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) CVT: 11.6 seconds PREDICTED
    • Fuel economy – Combined cycle (mpg)6-speed manual: 56.5 mpg / 5 l/100km
    • Fuel economy – Combined cycle (mpg)CVT: 54.3 mpg / 5.2 l/100km
    • CO2 emissions – Combined cycle 6-speed manual: 116 g/km
    • CO2 emissions – Combined cycle CVT: 120 g/km [CVT]

    Transmission

    • 6-speed manual (with Stop & Start technology and gear shift indicator)
    • Optional Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) (with Eco Driving Indicator)
    • Front mounted differential

    Engine

    • 1.33 litre Dual VVT-i engine
    • 4 in line cylinders
    • 16 Valve DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft) chain drive
    • Electronic fuel injection
    • Front mounted engine and differential
    • Front-wheel drive
    • Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system
    • Compression ratio 11.5:1
    2011 Aston Martin Cygnet
    2011 Aston Martin Cygnet
    2011 Aston Martin Cygnet
    2011 Aston Martin Cygnet
    2011 Aston Martin Cygnet
    2011 Aston Martin Cygnet

    Source: Aston Martin

  • Aston Martin Vantage GT3

    Aston Martin has announced Vantage GT3, which is based on the V12 engined road car. The race car will be ready to hit the race tracks in 2012.

    The Vantage GT3 will take the place of the DBRS9, launched in 2006 at Le Mans. The new Vantage GT3 joins the Vantage GT2, GT4, DBR9 GT1 and the AMR-One LMP1. The line-up is really astonishing.

    The race car meets all FIA regulations and is powered by a lightweight dry-sumped 6.0 litre V12 engine mated to a race semi-automatic paddle shift Xtrac gearbox and the latest race-developed ABS and traction control systems

    “The DBRS9 has been a very successful GT3 racing car and, despite being more than six years old, is still competitive today.”, commented John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Managing Director.

    “However, the competition has moved on and we needed to create a new car that combines our six years’ experience in this category with the latest race technology to continue Aston Martin’s success in GT3 for many years to come.”, he added.

    Aston Marting Vantage GT3 will have a curb weight of 1250 kg and the power will be in excess of 600BHP and 700Nm. The first car will be completed in July 2011 and it will be put in serious testing. 10 units will then be built ready for delivery for the start of the 2012 season.

    Aston Martin Vantage GT3

    Aston Martin Vantage GT3

    Source: Aston Martin

  • Aston Martin AMR-One Race Car

    Aston Martin will hit the new season with specially developed LMP1 race car. The project name is AMR-One and the driver line-up is also confirmed.

    AMR-One is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged six cylinder direct injection petrol engine, which is created for a new bespoke carbon fibre chassis designed and manufactured by Aston Martin Racing. (more…)

  • 2011 Aston Martin Virage

    Aston Martin has introduced a new model – Virage, which of course will be exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show.

    Virage will fulfill the gap between DB9 and DBS models in the Aston Martin line-up. Still, it looks much more like DB9 with new headlights, restyled grille and front fenders. There will be a Volante version, too, which is kind of sexy. (more…)

  • Project Kahn Aston Martin Cygnet

    Aston Martin Cygnet is actually a Toyota iQ, but twice expensive. However, the tuning specialists Project Kahn are developing a special refining program for the small city car.

    The details are limited, but Project Kahn Aston Martin Cygnet will boast a premium interior and leather upholstery.

    The car will be power by 1.33 liter Dual VVT-i petrol engine with 98PS (72 kW) and 123Nm (91 lb-ft). (more…)

  • 2011 Aston Martin Rapide Luxe – more than you expect

    Aston Martin Rapide is the most gorgeous high-end luxury sedan in the world. Still, it can be improved and the manufacturer actually done that.

    Now, there is Rapide Luxe, which was just unveiled by Aston Martin UK. It is a combination of highly desirable functional features, a greater choice of paint and leather finishes as standard, and unique features including bespoke accessories.

    The car can be ordered with 20″ 20-spoke alloys with polished finish, full grain leather interior with a choice of colors from the Fast Track or Contemporary ranges, and a luxury entertainment set for rear passengers. (more…)

  • Aston Martin Vantage N420 Roadster – So beautiful

    Aston Martin make so beautiful cars, but Vantage N420 Roadster is something unique. I have no words to describe it, just take a look at the pictures and you will fall in love with this car.

    It is staggering and the company wont dissapoint you with its „voice” and power – 4.7 liter V8 with 426 PS (313kW). N420 Roadster accelerates to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. And if the roof is down you will be able to enjoy „the symphony”.

    N420 Roadster benefits of weight reducing of 27kg thanks to the use of carbon fiber – rear diffuser, side strakes, front splitter and seats. (more…)