2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Featuring a new handcrafted aluminium body, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato delivers a beautiful and muscular design not possible using pre-formed panel techniques. Using the influences and skill of nearly 100 years of heritage in the craft, every aluminium panel was formed using an English wheel and traditionally crafted body bucks. Each front wing alone comprises seven separate pieces of aluminium, combined and then hand finished to give one flowing form. Another iconic Zagato design cue is the double bubble roof created in this case from five separate pieces illustrating further the intensity of craftsmanship involved in the construction of the V12 Zagato.

Designed for the focused driver, the V12 Zagato has been honed with pure driving enjoyment in mind. The V12 Zagato combines Aston Martin’s most dynamic bonded aluminium platform with the power of the 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.

The V12 Vantage which forms the basis of the V12 Zagato has been proven on the race track as early as 2009 with a class win in its debut race at the 24 hour race at Nürburgring whilst being close to production standard with only essential safety modifications, reduced weight and re-tuned suspension but no additional aerodynamic enhancements. In 2011 the car has gone on to form the basis of the new Aston Martin GT3 race car unveiled last month.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato specification includes a bonded aluminium platform modified with a bespoke steel roll cage, front and rear double wishbone suspension with fully adjustable Multimatic DSSV Dampers and a 120ltr endurance racing fuel tank.

VIDEO: New Aston Martin Rapide Promo Films [Part 2]

As promised, Aston Martin released the second part of a new promotional series of films featuring the Rapide sports saloon. Called “True Power Should Be Shared”, it’s a more of an action-packed sequel, showing longer driving scenes and a spectacular fight sequence, as the story gets more substance. Still, this is no James Bond movie, although seeing and hearing the British four-door coupe kind of makes up for the lack of originality. Video available after the jump.

By Csaba Daradics

Via: Worldcarfans

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

Aston Martin Launches Cygnet with Two Special Editions, Priced from $49,600 / €36,700

To celebrate the start of production of its new Toyota iQ-based Cygnet city car, Aston Martin has announced two special launch edition models called White and Black.

Set to go on sale in April, both are offered with the iQ's 1.33-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 98HP, matched to either standard 6-speed manual gearbox or optional CVT automated transmission, and each will be produced for a strictly limited run.

The British automaker says the Cygnet with the manual gearbox completes the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 11.6 seconds while returning an estimated combined fuel economy of 56.5 mpg UK, equal to 47 mpg US and 5.0 lt/100km.

The White edition is finished in Snow White paint with a mix of silver mesh, chrome brightwork and White Diamond turned alloy wheels. Inside, it features seats hand trimmed in Pearl white leather with perforated Alcantara inserts, complemented by satin chrome.

The opposite Black edition of the Cygnet comes with a Magic Black metallic paint with a specially developed deep sea green effect, offset by matt black louvers and chrome brightwork. The seats and dash are clad in pure black full grain leather, perforated in a specially-developed diamond pattern, while dark chrome accents adorn the cabin.

Both launch edition come with a bespoke and tailored made Bill Amberg five-piece luggage set in a combination of black leather with technical fabric, comprised of a glove box bag, removable door pocket bag, holdall, garment bag and a collapsible tote bag.

The new Cygnet goes on sale now through Aston Martin’s European dealership network, with the company stating that it is "actively working on expanding market availability by 2012".

Prices for Aston Martin's new entry-level model start from £30,995 (equal to US$49,600 and €36,700 at current exchange rates), or some £19,000 ($30,800 / €22,500) more than Toyota's iQ 1.33.

Launch Edition Black includes:

• Magic Black paint finish
• Twin Matt Satin Stripes
• 16" 16 – spoke diamond turned alloy wheels with black finish
• Chromed exterior mirror caps
• Pure Black leather
• Diamond shaped perforated leather inserts
• Dark chrome finishes
• Black Wings

Launch Edition White includes:

• Snow White paint finish
• Twin Matt Satin Stripes
• 16" 16 – spoke diamond turned alloy wheels with white finish
• Chromed exterior mirror caps
• Pearl White leather
• Rectangular shaped perforated Alcantara inserts with silver backing
• Satin Chrome finishes
• White Wings

Both Launch Edition Black and Launch Edition White include:

• Bespoke 5 piece luggage set, designed exclusively for Cygnet by Bill Amberg. The set comprises: a uniquely designed glove box bag, a removable door pocket bag, a holdall, a garment bag and a collapsible tote bag–each piece carefully hand crafted in black leather with technical fabric highlights
• Bespoke Launch Edition sill plaques
• Badging of a Cygnet head to identify the special nature of these cars
• Garage Door Opener
• First Aid Kit

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

VIDEO: New Aston Martin Rapide Promo Films [Part 1]

As part of its first foray into the digital campaign medium, Aston Martin will release three new promotional videos, featuring the breathtaking Rapide four-door coupe. Filmed in Lisbon, Portugal, the video follows a group of “agents” commissioned by a mysterious person to deliver a precious package, without opening it. A very Ronin-ish plot, we know.

The introductory part is available after the jump, while the second and third clips will follow on January 19 and 26, respectively.

“We wanted to deliver a subtle but clever piece of branded entertainment. Something that mirrors the thrill of the drive. Intelligent, dramatic yet very exciting. It's an action-packed Aston Martin story in three parts, designed to entertain our audience. We're not hard selling, we're showcasing. After all it is the thinking man's (and woman's) performance car”, Film Director Donnie Masters from Serious Pictures said.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

Aston Martin Adds Three New Special Edition Models to DB9 Line-Up

A new trio of new DB9 offerings are joining the Aston Martin line-up, in what can only be described as a tailor-fit sports car bonanza. The three models are named “Carbon Black”, “Quantum Silver” and “Morning Frost”, and can be had in coupe or convertible flavor.

The Morning Frost is more luxury-oriented and boasts a pearl-white paintjob, silver grille and brake calipers. Inside, a Piano Black center console, silver stitching and real polished glass switchgear complement the bronze leather trim. The Carbon Black and Quantum Silver lean towards the sports side, featuring more aggressive accents, including a blacked out grille and a sportier exhaust system with graphite tail pipes.

Aston Martin offers two sets of 10-spoke 19-inch alloys for the three models, with slightly different designs and black or silver finishes.

All cars are fitted with the Touchtronic II six-speed automatic transaxle transmission, mounted on the transaxle, which -according to the company- gives the car perfect 50:50 weight balance.

The special edition DB9s are available to order through Aston Martin’s dealership network.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Mercedes and Aston Martin Working Together to Save Maybach?

Mercedes-Benz finally appears to be getting its head straight in regards to the laughable Maybach brand. The Financial Times indicates that Mercedes is courting Aston Martin to help bring the Maybach name back from the brink; the plan is to allow the British automaker to both design and manufacture Benz's Bentley competitor.

All these murmurings involve a lot of back-and-forth; in this case, Aston would do Mercedes's Maybach work, while Mercedes could provide powertrain tech to the British marque (think smaller displacement engines). Apparently outsourcing the next Maybach's assembly and coachwork to Aston could be cheaper than if Mercedes did it on its own.

As for other claims that Mercedes could give the gift of 4WD chassis to the marque of Bond...well, let's hope that's not the case; no one wants to see the Lagonda SUV make it to production. Much like Jaguar pursuing an SUV (we already have Range Rovers), this just doesn't need to happen.

By Phil Alex

Source: Financial Times (Sub.Req)

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

VIDEO: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Meets Gulf DBR1-2 Racer

Aston Martin has released a new video to promote the connection between its road cars and racing models, and in particular, the firm's 6.0 liter V12 engines that sits at the heart of the One-77, DBS, DB9, Rapide and V12 Vantage but also the 2010 DBR1-2 Le Mans race car. The new footage shows the 517-horsepower V12 Vantage riding along Aston Martin's DBR1-2 LMP1 race car which competed throughout 2009 and 2010 having won the Le Mans Series in 2009 while taking three podiums in 2010. Watch the video after the break.

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

Aston Martin Launches New Apple App, Includes Virtual Accelerometer and More

It seems like every automaker is jumping on the Apple App-wagon these days and Aston Martin is no exception. The British firm today announced the availability of its new iPhone and iPod Touch app, the Aston Martin Explore, which comes with a variety of goodies including an acoustically accurate accelerometer and real life content, such as sounds from the entire current model line-up being driven to extreme on the track.

The Aston Martin ‘Explore’ app also offers exclusive content such as a virtual tour of the company’s Gaydon headquarters in the UK, including design and manufacturing facilities plus access to never before seen images and sound clips.

The new app is available to download for free from the iTunes App Store, with a version for the iPad to follow early next year. The British company added that it will also launch a premium [sic] Aston Martin ‘Experience’ app in the first quarter of 2011.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________