Tag: Aston Martin

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Aston Martin

One-77 multiplied by 10

Aston Martin One-77

Word on the interwebz is that some cashed up dude has put in an order for 10 Aston Martin One-77 hypercars. An order of that magnitude represents 13% of the car’s total production run. A bit greedy, perhaps?

Even if I could, I’m not sure I would. But then, if I did have a lazy $20M or so burning a hole in my pocket I’m not sure I’d spend it all on a a bunch of One-77s. I guess that’s the point, though, Mr Greedy Bunch, if he does actually exist, probably has a lot more Middle Eastern oil money to burn than you or I could ever imagine.

Apparently Aston Martin say they have pre-orders for 65 One-77s. They won’t confirm the order of 10 cars is true, so we can only speculate if the 84% that are already spoken for includes the bulk order.

[Source: Top Gear]

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide image gallery

Aston Martin Rapide

Deliveries of the Aston Martin Rapide have just begun. It’s a big few days for the Rapide, which makes a debut of another kind at next weekend’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. To celebrate these events AUSmotive presents a massive image gallery showcasing the Rapide in four colours; Magma Red, Hardly Green, Quantum Silver and Silver Blonde.

There’s over 70 images in all, so keep a note of this URL for future reference. As is usual with AUSmotive image galleries all pics can be accessed in 2000px super image sizing by simply clicking on each photo.

Some other numbers to keep in mind while looking over the pics—12, 350, 600 and 366,280. That’s the number of cylinders in the 6.0 litre engine, its peak power in kilowatts, the peak torque in Newton metres and the last number is the pre-delivery list pricing of the Rapide in Australian dollars.

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Aston Martin

VIDEO: Aston Martin One-77 sighted in London

Aston Martin One-77

This Aston Martin One-77 was recently seen in London’s St James area. It joined a convoy of supercars en route to Silverstone to promote the FIA GT1 Championship. The video clip includes interior shots, as well as views of the car from all angles. Last month the same user who posted this clip to YouTube added another video of a One-77 sitting inside Aston Martin’s Park Lane showroom. Both can be seen below.

Deliveries of the One-77 are not scheduled until mid-year, so this sighting is one of the first on public roads. Powered by a 7.3 litre V12 producing around 520kW (700bhp) Aston’s first proper hyper car will be its quickest model ever capable of top speeds in excess of 350km/h. It will also be one of the company’s most exclusive releases to date, with just 77 models to be made.

[via World Car Fans]

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Aston Martin

Rapide ready for Nurburgring 24 hour race

Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin’s new four-door saloon, the Rapide, will be racing at this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. As usual Aston’s CEO Dr Ulrich Bez will be at the wheel of the Rapide for the race, despite having the choice of the Vantage V12 as well.

The Rapide will hit the track as close to production trim as possible and Dr Bez explains this is a great test for his machines, “This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car – it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny.”

Aston has a pretty handy record at the 24 hour race, winning out the SP8 class for the last two years. Good luck to them adding a new car to their honour board in 2010.

Full press release available after the jump.

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin test Gulf livery theory with Cygnet Concept

Aston Martin Cygnet

The motoring landscape in the 21st century is far more complicated than it ever used to be. This is a world where the likes of the BMW GT, MINI Countryman and Porsche Cayenne are pushing their respective brands into segments that we never knew existed, much less knew such models could fill. It does appear we spend a lot of time these days scratching our heads, wondering what on earth they were thinking.

Not wanting to be left out, Aston Martin have released a bunch of new images showcasing their Cygnet ‘Cynical’ Concept. You remember, that’s the car that looks like some kid has shrunk its proportions in Photoshop just for a laugh. Only Aston is for real. They’ve even put the “any car will look good in Gulf Racing colours” theory to the test, as shown above. Hmm, we’re really pushing the friendship there. At least when the theory was tested on a Tata Nano you got the sense those responsible were taking the piss.

But with Aston I’m not so sure. They’re showing genuine intent with the ‘Cynical’. So much so, that Aston’s Chief Executive Dr Ulrich Bez is already doing the hard sell, “The Cygnet Concept brings intelligence, innovation and artistry to the small car market. The Cygnet Concept represents the natural choice for those customers looking for a premium commuter car.

“Our past, our future and our backbone will always remain sports cars, but the Cygnet Concept will support this by offering our customers a greater degree of freedom in the urban context.”

As if your sanity wasn’t already being tested enough, Autocar reckon pricing for a fully loaded ‘Cynical’ could nudge £50K (see YouTube clip at the end of this article). That’s $80,000 in our money. Has Aston gone mad?!

For more arty ‘Cynical’ images be sure to take the jump. And don’t be surprised if we see some ‘Cynical’ product placement in the next James Bond movie, either. Groan.

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide – official renderings

Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin recently released these computer generated images of the new Rapide luxury saloon. The Rapide Concept was first revealed way back in 2006 and while its evolution may be slow, the latest images show that the production model won’t stray too far from the original concept.

The most immediate difference is the new crease line starting at the mid front door section which extends into the rear door. Also gone are the lower cutouts on the outer edges of the front grille. The full glass roof, however, will make it to the final production version.

While scant technical details have been confirmed, speculation from last April, suggests the car will be powered by Aston Martin’s familiar V12. A maximum power figure of over 500hp can be expected, given the 510hp output of the 6.0 litre V12 recently shoehorned into the Vantage.

The overall dimensions shouldn’t differ too greatly from the DB9, despite the extra set of doors. It is also anyone’s guess as to when the car have its official reveal. It’s probably pretty safe to guess that it will happen some time this year, but will the Geneva Motor Show in March be too soon?

AUSmotive wasn’t around in 2006, so following the comgen images after the jump is the official Rapide Concept press release, including a handful of images.

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin gives Vantage a dirty dozen

Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Aston Martin will reveal a V12 Vantage at the Geneva Motor Show next month. By shoehorning a V12 into the Vantage shell Aston has created what they claim to be their “most exhilarating sports car” yet.

The 6.0 litre 12 cylinder produces 380kW (510bhp) and a very tidy 570Nm of torque. All that power is good for claimed performance of 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds and a 305km/h (190mph) top speed. All achieved through the use of a trad six speed manual, there will be no flappy paddle option, either. Helping bring a halt to proceedings are the Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes, and with a 51:49 weight ratio Aston is pretty confident of the car’s handling abilities. They reckon you can corner the V12 Vantage at 1.3g.

The V12 Vantage concept was released a little over 12 months ago, so it’s some task by the British company to have the car ready in such a short amount of time.

Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, is a bit excited, “This is the ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range, combining our most agile model with our most powerful engine.

“The V12 Vantage has a unique character, unlike our other cars. This will appeal to different people with different tastes, allowing more people to enjoy the Aston Martin experience.”

I have to say, and I’m almost afraid to admit it, but I find this car a little crass. The lashings of carbon fibre and almost vulgar fluted bonnet seem a bit too much out of character for the Vantage. It’s almost like Audrey Hepburn having death metal tattoos down her arms. Sure, there’d be people that would go bonkers for that, but, it just wouldn’t be the same. Even the wheels have a hint of Tempe Tyres about them.

Of course, given an opportunity, I am sure I could learn to love the V12 Vantage.

Pricing for the V12 Vantage will be confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show and the car is expected to go on sale some time after June.

Extensive press blurb and seven more 2000px super images after the jump.

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Aston Martin Random wallpapers

Random wallpaper: Aston Martin DBR1

Aston Martin DBR1

Here at AUSmotive we’re pretty chuffed with the news that Aston Martin Racing is chasing outright success at this year’s Le Mans 24 hour race. Not so much because we like Astons, of course we do, but we also appreciate beautifully crafted machines. The inspiration for Aston Martin’s 2009 assault, the DBR1, certainly fits that criteria.

One of the most stunning racing cars of its era it also proved its credentials by powering Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori to victory in the 1959 Le Mans 24 hour race.

You can read more about the DBR1 at Wikipedia, while enjoying a couple of press gallery images (click each image to load 2000 x 1320px super image). Also included after the jump is a brief YouTube clip showing Stirling Moss behind the wheel of a DBR1 and discussing his memories of the car.

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Aston Martin Motorsports

Aston Martin Racing chase history at Le Mans

Aston Martin LMP1

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Aston Martin’s sole Le Mans 24 hour race victory. To honour the feats of Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori the British company are chasing outright success with this stunning LMP1 racer. Racing cars with iconic Gulf livery always look great, but this creation from Aston Martin takes the look to a whole new level. It’s just brilliant!

Trouble is, there’s a lot more to racing than simply looking the part. Aston is the current Le Mans holder of the GT1 class, but to show how serious they are with their outright assault they will not be running any GT1 cars in 2009. It’s all or nothing in the outright category.

The LMP1 will use the proven V12 engine from the class winning DBR9 GT1 cars. The chassis is based on the 2008 Charouz Racing System Lola.

The 2009 Le Mans 24 hour race will take place over the weekend of 13–14 June.

Full press statement after the jump.

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Fifth Gear Volkswagen

Fifth Gear – Series 14, Episode 6

Volkswagen Australia, are you watching! Even Tom Ford, all the way over in England, knows the deal—bring the Scirocco to Australia in place of the three door Golf GTI. While GTI production is in limbo prior to the launch of the MkVI model the case for the Scirocco is even stronger. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

So we know how Episode 6 started, read on to see what else the Fifth Gear had in store.

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News

2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed

2008 Goodwood Fesitval of Speed - Mazda FuraiLast weekend the Duke of Richmond opened up his estate once again for the 18th consecutive Goodwood Festival of Speed. The lads from CarAdvice.com.au were there, check out their report, with heaps of great up close pictures, HERE.

For more info on the Goodwood FoS check out the Wikipedia page. This preview article from the Telegraph also paints a picture of just how big this event is. Enjoy!

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Aston Martin

James Bond’s new Aston Martin goes fishing

James Bond's Aston MartinUPDATE: YouTube clip added, see below…

Filming for the latest James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, took an unexpected twist recently when delivery of an Aston Martin DBS went horribly wrong. The official word seems to be that the car was being driven to the film set in Italy early one morning during heavy rain, the driver lost control and got a closer than expected view of Lake Garda. But, I dunno, that story sounds a bit fishy to me.

The driver is said to be okay while recovering in hospital.

Sources: BBC, Yahoo! News and WorldCarFans