Aston Martin V12 Zagato road-going

Aston Martin has announced the road-going variant of the V12 Zagato which will be making its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month.



Along with the largest display of contemporary Aston Martins ever seen at a Motor Show, two V12 Zagatos, both having completed their engineering sign-off at the Nürburgring 24 hour race, will be shown for the first time at a mainstream event.



Aston Martin Zagato uses its 5.9-litre V12 engine, which sends 510bhp and 420lb ft to the rear wheels. That’s enough to give the V12 Vantage a 4.4sec 0-60mph time and 190mph top speed, though the Zagato’s handcrafted aluminium and carbonfibre body should give it a kerb weight around 100kg lighter than its donor car’s 1680kg, boosting performance figures.



The car is priced at £330,000 (€376,500 / $544,000), not including local taxes.










Press Release



Aston Martin V12 Zagato set for Motor Show Debut at Frankfurt



25 August 2011: Gaydon - The new Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be appearing in September at the

64th IAA International Motor Show at Frankfurt. Along with the largest display of contemporary Aston Martins ever seen at a Motor Show, two V12 Zagatos, both having completed their engineering sign-off at the Nürburgring 24 hour race, will be shown for the first time at a mainstream event.



Hand assembled at the company's global headquarters in Gaydon, England, the V12 Zagato is based on the highly acclaimed V12 Vantage and features a beautiful 'handcrafted‘ aluminium and carbon fibre body. Combining traditional craftsmanship and high technology, the V12 Zagato also boasts Aston Martin's most dynamic bonded aluminium platform and the power of the company's acclaimed 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.



Following extremely positive initial customer reaction, the V12 Zagato is being offered for sale at £330,000 GBP (excluding local taxes) and will go into strictly limited production of up to 150 cars in summer 2012. 50 years on from the introduction of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin and Zagato have collaborated to create this modern interpretation which remains true to the focus of craftsmanship, performance and exclusivity which underpinned the original collaboration.



Launched successfully in late May at the famous Villa D'Este Concours on Lake Como, Italy, the V12 Zagato saw off tough competition to be awarded the coveted Design Award for the concept and prototypes class. Just a week later, the V12 Zagato made its racing debut at the 53rd ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN race at the historic Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. Following other appearances in the series, both prototypes of the V12 Zagato were entered into the gruelling 39th ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hour on 25/26 June, successfully amassing a combined 230 laps and over 3,700 miles of intense durability testing - both taking the chequered flag to maintain Aston Martin's 100% finish record in the race.



The first of the two V12 Zagatos being shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show, finished in its distinctive green livery is the full endurance race car concept specification as campaigned at the Nürburgring. The car, nicknamed ‘Zig' by the factory team features a full aerodynamic package including front splitter, dive planes, large rear diffuser and spoiler designed to make the most of the Nürburgring's multitude of corners and lengthy straights.



The second of the cars, nicknamed ‘Zag', was originally shown at the Villa D'Este before being converted into the same full racing specification as the sister car. Since the 24 hour race, Zag, has been returned to its original show specification which, although showing a racing car interior, has an exterior more representative of the exclusive road car currently offered for order. In addition to this, Aston Martin today releases the first conceptual illustrations of the road car variant that will go into production from mid 2012.



The pair of V12 Zagatos will join the Aston Martin stand at Frankfurt in September alongside the stunning One-77 supercar and the recently launched Virage and Vantage S.

2012 Aston Martin Rapide car preview and wallpapers

2012 Aston Martin Rapide car preview and specification

2011 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe

The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is an exotic GT available in two body styles: coupe and Volante convertible.

Options include front parking sensors and a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system. The rear-wheel-drive DB9 is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 that produces 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Aston Martin estimates that the DB9 will go from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds regardless of transmission. The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 comes with antilock brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, front side airbags (which protect head and torso) and rear parking sensors. Front parking sensors are optional.

The 2011 Aston Martin DB9 is striking in the ease with which it drives down the road. First launched in 2004, the DB9 has become Aston Martin's most recognized model.
In addition to the straight-line performance, handling of the newest DB9 is improved thanks to Bilstein shocks, new suspension arms and bushings, and 19-inch wheels. These suspension upgrades resulted in a sportier ride, while the Volante's (convertible model) ride is made cushier.
The DB9's bumpers are invisible. The side strakes - an Aston Martin DB signature - are made from metal. The interior features an elegant center console, finished almost entirely in
die-cast zinc with an iridium finish. The Aston Martin DB9 is also available in a convertible model, designated by the unique Volante name.

You might have seen elsewhere that CAR was embedded in the Aston Martin pit team at the weekend's 2010 Le Mans 24-hour race. A facelifted' 2010 Aston Martin DB9? Yes, let's call it the 2011 model year DB9. Aston types hesitate to use the word 'facelift', it's just part of the continuous improvement that's gradually spruced up the DB9 since launch back in 2003.

CAR bumped into Aston Martin design director Marek Reichmann in the AMR pits at Le Mans and he gave us the lowdown on the 2011 DB9. What's new? The interior of the DB9 is spruced up with some previously unseen toys and equipment. How does the revised DB9 drive?

CAR picks up the fettled DB9 on Sunday night an hour after the end of the Le Mans 24-hour race. Click here to find out how Aston Martin Racing got on at La Sarthe.

2012 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible Sport - First Drive Review

It was a peaceful and elegant scene, the bright sunlight glinting off the top-down Maserati GranTurismo convertibles parked on the Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia in Trieste. Passersby admired the gorgeous cars, one of Pininfarina’s masterpieces. Then a legion of uprated 4.7-liter V-8s ignited with a snarl, and peace and elegance were the last things on our mind.
About that wonderful engine, fitted in the top-spec GranTurismo Convertible Sport. Purists still lament the fact that Maseratis, which were long defined by powerplants that developed peak power at low rpm, are now equipped with high-revving buzzsaws bought from its former arch-rival, Ferrari. But the GranTurismo Convertible Sport's 444-hp variation of the 4.7-liter V-8 is sure to create a few converts.
It’s an evolution of the regular GranTurismo convertible’s 433-horse 4.7-liter with less internal friction thanks to a revised oil sump and slipperier coatings for the valve tappets and cam lobes; this upgraded version also powers the GranTurismo MC Stradale coupe. Compared to its lesser sibling, the droptop Sport exhales through a freer-flowing exhaust, the main purpose of which seems to be to create as much beautiful noise as is legally allowed. It’s aided in that pursuit by active valves that open at 2500 rpm when the transmission is in its Automatic Sport mode. We predict the V-8 will haul the 4600-pound droptop to 60 in 4.8 seconds.


Fantastico Automatico
As in the U.S.-market MC Stradale and the Quattroporte Sport GT S, power flows through a six-speed, torque-converter automatic supplied by ZF. But don’t lament the fact that there’s no hard-core gearbox; the automatic has been extensively reworked for duty here, and offers Normal and Manual Sport modes in addition to the aforementioned Automatic Sport, as well as launch control. Gearshift times are improved by up to 50 percent, it blips the throttle for downshifts, and, in Manual Sport mode, it doesn’t downshift when you hit the kickdown switch or upshift unless you tell it to. There’s more: You can call for a lower gear if there’s any leeway whatsoever before redline (most transmissions won’t let you downshift unless the resulting engine speed is farther down the tach from redline) and the exhaust flaps are always open in Manual Sport. This automatic is so good that you'll hardly miss a dual-clutch transmission—or the Euro-market MC’s single-clutch automated manual. Of course, you might miss a proper clutch-pedal manual gearbox, but Maserati doesn't offer one anymore.
Chassis Changes, Too
Underneath, the front and rear springs and anti-roll bars are stiffer on this derivative, the dampers are modified, and the ZF Sachs–sourced "Skyhook" damping system has been re-tuned. On twisting roads, the Sport handles well and generally does what you ask of it, but there’s simply no masking the car’s two-ton-plus weight or its somewhat uncommunicative steering. The body flexes more than it should, too. To be sure, the GranTurismo Convertible Sport is an enjoyable companion in nearly every situation, but it’s less full-bore sporty than its sinister looks and capital-S “Sport” badge might let on. So when a well-driven Audi R8 Spyder closes in on you from behind, our advice is to just let it pass. Take solace in the fact that the Audi will never sound as glorious as the Maserati, or seat four as comfortably (or at all).
There are a number of competitors: BMW's new 6-series droptop, the soon-to-be-new Mercedes-Benz SL, the Porsche 911 cabriolet, the Audi R8 Spyder, and, of course, the Jaguar XK and its distant cousin, the Aston Martin V-8 Vantage roadster. The Maserati acquits itself well by informal comparison: It’s more spacious than most (even if the trunk is tiny), it’s not outrageously expensive by the standards of the segment, it offers incredibly luxurious accommodations, and it just might have more character than the whole bunch combined. Those qualities ought to satisfy most anyone—trident purists included.

 

Source : Caranddriver.com

2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 overviews

The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is built to FIA GT4 regulations and is eligible to compete in the following series: FIA GT4 European Cup; British GT4 Championship; Britcar Endurance Series; German GT4 Championship; Dutch Supercar Challenge; Dutch GT4 Championship; VLN Endurance Championship at the Nurburgring; Australian Endurance Championship; the American SCCA Championship; and the Aston Martin Owners Club Race Series.

The Vantage GT4 comes with either a manual transmission or sportshift transmission. Aston Martin Racing is now the only manufacturer to produce cars in each of the GT classes: GT1, GT2, GT3 and GT4. At 1,330 kg the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is 300 kg lighter than the standard car.
Aston Martin has unveiled today details on a new Vantage GT4 for 2011.

Aston Martin Racing has launched a new Vantage GT4 for 2011. The new V8 engined racing car takes design inspiration from Aston Martin’s V12 Vantage road car, giving it enhanced aerodynamics and increased downforce.

As with the current 4.7 litre Vantage GT4, which made its race debut in 2009, the 2011 car is closely based on the V8 Vantage road car with key attributes being carried over including the aluminium chassis, base engine and suspension design. The Vantage GT4’s new splitter increases downforce at the front of the car, as well as channelling cooling air to the brakes and radiator. At the rear, the car gains the V12’s larger boot ‘flip’.

The new Vantage GT4 will be eligible for this Challenge, as well as the European GT4 Cup and all other series with a GT4 class.

The updated 2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 has just been revealed showcasing a revised engine. The 2011 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 comes with similar aerodynamics as the V12 Vantage road car, but with increased downforce.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

Aston Martin will unveil one of the most eagerly anticipated convertibles of the year when the V8 Vantage Roadster. 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster SPORT SHIFT designed with new specifications that include Convertible body style, 14 CT / 21 HW fuel economy. 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster embodies the qualities that are integral to Aston Martin: Power, Beauty and Soul.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The rationale behind the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S was to push the boundaries of the already acclaimed V8 Vantage with the highest levels of driver involvement possible. Aston Martin engineers set about enhancing nearly every dynamic element of the car to create a highly distinctive driving experience. The Aston Martin Vantage range comes of age with the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage S characterised by a host of new driver-focussed features all designed to push the honed dynamics of the standard Vantage to a new benchmark level.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage are a series of hand built sports cars from the British manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston Martin has previously used the “Vantage” name on high performance variants of their existing GT models. “The Vantage S epitomizes every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before”, says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, “It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range”.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

"With every new model we continue to evolve and enhance our VH architecture," said Aston Martin Product Development Director, Ian Minards. "The engineering team at Gaydon looked at every single performance attribute of the V8 Vantage, from engine and transmission to suspension, steering, brakes and tires and considered what was required to make this car deserving of the coveted 'S' badge. The result is a pure driver-focused package that, in both the coupe and Roadster form, exploits and emphasizes the sporting nature of the iconic Vantage."

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

Power for the 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster comes from a 4.7L V8, which has been re-engineered to deliver 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm. The engine is mated to a new round-up developed 7-speed Sportshift II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears. Aston Martin says that the transmission is twenty percent quicker than its Sportshift. The 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster also benefits from its own sound with a new exhaust muffler, quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers, new dynamic stability control (DSC) system and bespoke Bridgestone tires.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The power and torque delivery on the 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster is delivered at the most frequently used mid range engine speeds which creates tractable and effortless acceleration. Most demand for power and torque is in the mid-range which on the 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster is where the greatest torque is delivered at 5000 rpm. As with all Aston Martins, the 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster benefits from near perfect weight balance of 49:51 front to rear owing to the placement of the gearbox on the transaxle contributing to the excellent dynamics. The 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster has an automatically retracting fabric hood which can be operated up to 20 mph (30 km/h). The S variant features a unique exhaust muffler specifically tuned to aurally define its sporting intent. A revised map opens the bypass valves earlier in the rev range at 3500 rpm and even earlier in 'Sport' mode producing more crackle on the overrun.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The 2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster weighs 3726 lbs, 66 lbs (30 kg) lighter than the standard Vantage owing to weight optimization of the new Sportshift II transmission and use of carbon fiber. Air cooled, rather than oil cooled, the Sportshift II system takes advantage through the deletion of the oil pump and associated ancillaries saving 53 lbs (24 kg) over the conventional six speed Sportshift system.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

The optional carbon fibre and Kevlar® composite seats cosset the driver providing support during spirited driving while remaining comfortable on long journeys. Saving 17 kg per car, the seats which are manufactured by a supplier to the motorsport and aviation industries are hand-trimmed by craftsmen and women at the Gaydon production facility.

2012 Aston Martin Sport Cars V8 Vantage S Roadster

Both the Vantage S coupe and Roadster are hand built at Aston Martin's global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire alongside the V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage. Each Aston Martin V8 Vantage S takes in excess of 185 man-hours to build including 50 man-hours to paint and 70 man-hours to hand trim the interior. Each car undergoes meticulous attention to detail in not only the build phase but quality control and handover processes too.

2013 Aston Martin DB9 Spy Photos - Cars News 2011

 

It’s often pointed out that Aston Martins all pretty much look alike. We know that, you know that, and the people who make them must know, too. But an Aston also looks like a Jaguar, a concept with which the team who cloaked this DB prototype appears to have had some fun.

To wit: The car seen here has a Jag-like grille opening—they’ve even gone so far as to put a round faux badge in the middle of the grille. Closer inspection, however, shows that the mouth’s extra width is being covered by some taped-on parts. The LEDs added to the 2011 DB9’s headlights remain, although the lighting units have been partially covered to further the Jag-lookalike goal. When the not-an-Aston ruse falls apart: The car was photographed at AM’s Nürburgring-side facility. Oops.
More telling of future DB changes are the revised fascias front and rear, which appear to have more of an airflow-redirecting purpose. In the rear, there’s a central diffuser element, as well as air vents flanking the exhaust outlets. Larger hood vents are set farther out near the edges of the bonnet. The car’s beautiful, Aston-characteristic shape now has flatter haunches, which is one of the few signs that this is not just another mild refresh—well, at least it will be a less-mild refresh than Astons usually get. And the number plate has moved from the decklid to the rear bumper, finally making it legal for DB9 drivers to haul that PVC pipe back from the home center with the trunk open.

When it was introduced for 2004, the DB9 was the first Aston to make use of the company’s aluminum VH platform. Given this car’s molasses-grade styling evolution and the fact that all current Astons (except for the Cygnet) make use of the platform, we don’t expect those underpinnings to change. A next-gen car could retain the DB9 badge, Aston could enter the four-character-name realm with DB11, or it could draw from the marque’s past, as is the case with the recently reborn, DB9-based Virage.
Whatever the car is called when it’s unveiled sometime next year for the 2013 model year, you can expect a more-powerful V-12 underhood, two real seats up front and two that amount to a parcel shelf in the rear, and a shape that—for better or for worse—is unmistakably Aston Martin.
Source : Caranddriver.com

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

When somebody says Aston Martin, the 1st thing that comes to mind is James Bond. It’s because Aston Martin is what he usually uses in his movies. This year, James Bond has another toy. It’s the all new Aston Martin V8 Vantage S. This convertible sports car has a 4.8 liter V8 engine and 430 horses in a 7300 RPM. Aston's new Sportshift II has a 7 sport shift transmission of dual-clutch

2011 Aston Martin Sports Cars DB9

The Aston Martin company has revealed their new 2011 Aston Martin sport car DB9 with new styling and some engineering and equipment upgrades. 28 June 2010, Gaydon, Warwickshire: In the most significant programme of upgrades since its world debut in 2003, Aston Martin’s sport car DB9 range has received a complete package of styling, engineering and equipment enhancements. “Improving upon what many consider to be one of the most beautiful sports cars in the world is a delicate exercise,” says Aston Martin.

The Aston Martin designers gave new 2011 sport car DB9 subtle enhancements in appearance including a new front bumper, new grille, a reshaped lower intake that now features a hexagonal mesh, new headlight bezels, re-styled sills, silver brake calipers, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels and clear rear light lenses.

Performance comes courtesy of Aston Martin’s sport car celebrated 6.0-litre V12 engine, which develops an unchanged 470bhp and 442lb ft of torque. Mated to a choice of six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ paddle-shift automatic or six-speed H-pattern manual transmissions, the DB9 offers an intoxicating blend of effortless pace and sporting character. A top speed of 190mph and the ability to hit 60mph in just 4.6sec seal its credentials as the definitive 2+2 Grand Tourer.

Ian Minards, Aston Martin’s Product Development Director said, “The DB9 was the first sport car built at Gaydon adopting the VH architecture. It has evolved every year since, with significant changes including a power upgrade and successive reductions in CO2 emissions. The latest package of improvements goes further than ever, highlighting the DB9’s qualities as a true sporting GT and underlining its role as the backbone car of our range.”

The Aston Martin DB9 sport car is available as either Coupe or Volante (convertible) with rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional ‘Touchtronic 2’ six-speed automatic transmission. Production of the revised DB9 is already underway, with deliveries commencing in July. Prices start from £122,445 for the DB9 Coupe and £131,445 for the DB9 Volante.

 2011 Aston Martin Sports Cars DB9

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage cars wallpapers and features

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage cars wallpapers and features

2011 Aston Martin Lagonda Concept car pictures gallery and reviews

2011 Aston Martin Lagonda Concept car pictures gallery and reviews

2012 Aston Martin DB9 Volante car wallpapers

2012 Aston Martin DB9 Volante car wallpapers

2011 Aston Martin DB9 Volante car pictures gallery and reviews

2011 Aston Martin DB9 Volante car pictures gallery and reviews