As we know the gorgeous and curvaceous Aston Martin V12 Zagato was given its first public showing at the Villa D’Este Concours last weekend. Prominent YouTuber Marchettino was on hand to capture some of the action. Here, we can see and hear The Rapture in full voice. The end of the world has actually happened; don’t believe the nay sayers. The V12 has summoned the final judgement and we are now living in a new parallel universe where horsepower is king. Long live the king!
[Source: YouTube]
Wow!
Aston Martin promised a new collaboration with Zagato was coming and now that they’ve delivered we must simply say, “thank you.”
Aston has taken the already stunning V12 Vantage handed it over to Zagato and said, do your thing chaps. And the Italian masters have delivered an absoulte gem, this V12 Zagato is car porn it is purest form.
It has great proportions. It looks aggressive. It looks purposeful. It looks like it was made to race. And that’s exactly what it has been made for. In a little over a week from now the V12 Zagato will make its competition debut in a four-hour VLN race at the Nürburgring. Then, in late June, two of these beauties will be ripping it up on the North Loop during the 24 hour race.
The best part, well for those lucky enough to afford one, the V12 Zagato will be built in limited numbers for the road, as well. No specific details have been given just yet, but Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin CEO has confirmed if you have the cash, they will have the car.
“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,” explained Dr Bez.
We can’t wait. More pics and material from Aston after the break.
Back in 1961 Aston Martin combined forces with Italian coachbuilder Zagato to create the DB4GT Zagato. Now, to mark 50 years of that collaboration, history will repeat with the two companies working in partnership on a new model to be revealed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy on 21 May. Proving this new car will be true to its racing heritage it will race at the Nürburgring in a four hour VLN race on 28 May.
Assuming both the reveal and race bring encouraging feedback from the well-to-do-set there is a chance the new Aston-Zagato will be offered as a limited series production model.
Aston Martin Design Director, Marek Reichman explains their new ownership structure has allowed the freedom to re-unite with Zagato, “Our designers are able to collaborate with a broad spectrum of organisations and individuals to seek new and exciting ideas and inspiration due to Aston Martin’s independency.
“Working with Zagato again in 2011 is inspirational for the team – certainly DB4GT Zagato is one of my favourite ever designs as it is with many of the designers in our studio. We can create a truly modern Aston Martin interpretation which stays true to the historical routes of the relationship with Zagato.â€
Aston’s press release is available after the break along with a small gallery of images showcasing the DB4GT and the DB4GT Zagato.
Aston Martin has just released this teaser image of a new V12 Vantage GT3. It will replace the company’s race going DBRS9 and is set for a competition debut in 2012.
The Vantage GT3 will take a regular V12 Vantage and up the ante by adding a race-spec Xtrac semi-automatic transmission along with race-tuned ABS and traction control technology. Its target weight will be just 1250kg and it will have a peak power figure of 600bhp, all nudged into action by a very respectable 700Nm of torque.
Yes, we want one too!
First filed 26 January.
Aston Martin has fiddled about with its seemingly timeless V8 Vantage and created a new S model. The Vantage is still such a great looking car. And now it’s just that little bit better, too.
With 321kW and 490Nm from the 4.7 litre V8, plus the addition of a new 7-speed Sportshift II transmission, Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez reckons, “The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before.
“It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range.”
More after the break.
UPDATE 14 March: Over 25 news pics added, as well as a ripping video of the V8 Vantage S driving around the wonderful Ascari Race Resort.
Aston Martin has managed to find another model lurking in the shadows of the DB9 and has created the “new” 6.0 litre V12 powered Virage. The model is available to order now in coupé and Volante convertible body styles. Although, pricing won’t be confirmed until the car’s official debut at Geneva next week.
Seeing as the DB9 is one of the world’s most beautiful car designs we can forgive Aston for further developing and exploiting every last drop from its VH platform.
Perhaps Ulrich Bez says it best, “100 years of automotive history has demonstrated that evolution delivers the best solutions in time.
“So it is with Virage; it is the next level of evolution in our VH architecture strategy and it does everything with the perfection that you would expect today. It is the perfect balance of opposites.”
More after the break.
Here is the thrilling conclusion to the Aston Martin Rapide marketing gimmick film. Without giving too much away, it turns out we end the film film where we started. Which begs the question, was it all worth it?
Here is part 2 of the Aston Martin Rapide film True power should be shared. There’s one more part to go. Let’s hope things get better in the final segment of the film.
Aston Martin has just launched a new marketing stunt for its four door Rapide. They’ve used the medium of short film to execute their evil advertising plans and well, we’re talking about it, so I guess it’s working so far.
The film is called True power should be shared and there will be three parts; you know, to keep us on the edge of our four seats. Part One is available below, with the following two parts to be released at weekly intervals.
You can also keep up to date with associated gimmicks via the official Rapide website. Indeed, you can even follow the four main characters on twitter, would you believe.
If you’ve got the time, why not check it out and let us know what you think. Is this going to be a worthwhile exercise for Aston, or just a bit of marketing fluff that will have little cut through?
A recent UK report has revealed that 54% of British motorists admit to having sex in a car. And it seems the older you are the more likely you are to find paradise by the dashboard light. Almost 40% of over 55s interviewed claimed sex in a car was fantastic, compared to just 13% of those aged between 18 and 24.
The raunchy research was carried out by the appropriately named Autoquake.com, an online retailer, and CEO Dermot Halpin says, “We’re surprised that so many of drivers have used their cars as mobile bedrooms, and impressed that the older generation are leading the way.”
A top 10 list of sexy cars was compiled as part of the study. The wide open spaces of the Mercedes E-Class Estate proved a worthy, if surprising, leader in the poll. Shaggin’ wagons have gone a bit upmarket since the 70s it seems. The full list is available after the break.
We’re sure readers won’t be surprised to learn no Toyota made the top 10. Which begs the question, just what is that feeling they keep going on about; loneliness, perhaps?
If you’ve enjoyed a few extra “services” between scheduled intervals, leave us a comment and tell us all about it!
Aston Martin Racing has updated its successful V8 Vantage-based GT4 racer ahead of the 2011 season. A new aero package, revised ECU mapping and a new Bosch ABS/traction control setting developed with race data headline the improvements.
But, really, it’s an Aston and with slick marketing pics like these it’s the beauty of the Vantage’s form that is worth savouring. So enjoy these handful of pics and remember to click on each one to launch the 2000px super sizing.
Aston Martin has gone all Top Gear on us with this new video of the V8 Vantage N420. It’s very much in the theme of the closing piece Jeremy did on the V12 Vantage to close out Series 13. This version from Aston is a perfectly brilliant way to start the day, so crank up the volume and enjoy!