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Video: Aston Martin Vulcan Teaser

Video: Aston Martin Vulcan Teaser

By on 20/02/2015 in Videos

Here is a new video of the new Aston Martin Vulcan hypercar. This new hypercar will rival the latest cars like the LaFerrari FXX K and the recently revealed McLaren P1 GTR.

Aston Martin Vulcan

Uniquely for Aston Martin, the new the 800-plus bhp, all-carbon fibre supercar – limited to just 24 examples worldwide – will allow owners the opportunity to precisely tailor their track day experience through a graduating scale of detailed power and dynamic performance adjustments.

Aston Martin Vulcan

The Aston Martin Vulcan will be unveiled at next months Geneva motor show.

It does sound impressive!

Aston Martin reveal the new Vanquish

Aston Martin reveal the new Vanquish

By on 20/06/2012 in News

Aston Martin revealed today the new Vanquish to head up their grand tourer range. Th new 573hp grand tourer replaces the DBS at the top of the Aston Martin range.

With a body built from carbon fibre (improving torsional rigidity by more than 25%.) the lines are pure Aston with a safe and clear evolution from the DB9 and Virage. There are also various styling cues from the One-77 including the elegant new waist, elongated side strakes and LED rear light blades.

 Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Today’s Vanquish is the ultimate expression of Aston Martin design ethos, engineering innovation and technical ability. It offers luxurious, continent-crossing capability and pure driving excitement without compromise.”

“The new Vanquish mixes beautiful design with impressive technology such as the superb new infotainment system. This is the latest incarnation of everything we know, informed and developed from One-77. It is the ultimate Super Grand Tourer – confident and assured – and is the newest representation of Power, Beauty and Soul.”

Performance is from the naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine with power increased to 565bhp and 620 Nm of torque. As with other model the gearbox is the Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic. This combination should propel the Vanquish to 62 mph (100 km/h) from standstill in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph.

Aston Martin have created a greatly increased cabin and boot providing a 60% increase in storage, at 368 litres, compared to the DBS. With practicality and the classic lines of the the Vanquish it certainly looks to be a super GT and will give the updated SLS a run for its money.

We look forward to seeing the Vanquish in the flesh and can’t wait to see what surprises Aston Martin have for the future!

Prices start  from £189,995 with the first deliveries expected to begin in the UK and Europe  in late 2012.

So far so good for Aston Martin at Nürburgring

So far so good for Aston Martin at Nürburgring

By on 18/05/2012 in News

Ahead of its most ambitious ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours campaign to date, Aston Martin has enjoyed an encouraging day of testing and preliminary qualifying with all four of its official entries showing promising pace around the 25km circuit.

The first day of action at the 40th running of the ever-popular endurance race began with a 90-minute free practice session at 1500hrs CET. Under clear skies, but in cool and breezy conditions, Aston Martin broke into the top-ten as its #006 V12 Vantage GT3 (crewed by factory driver Stefan Mücke (D), Tomas Enge (CZ), Fredy Barth (CH) and Oliver Mathai (D)) set the sixth quickest lap time of the entire 170-strong field, stopping the clock at 8m 37.139s.

In the first of three qualifying sessions later in the day, the same car improved its pace even further having set the fifth best lap time overall with an impressive 8m 31.714s effort. During the four-hour session, in which the setting sun plunged the Germany’s Eifel region into darkness, the sister #007 V12 Vantage GT3 of Darren Turner (GB), Johannes and Ferdinand Stuck (A) and Dennis Rostek (D) finished in seventh position having set a time of 8m 32.247s.

The GT3 cars, run in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing and its long-standing partner team Young Driver AMR, see the marque represented in the headlining SP9 category for the first time. Alongside the pair of V12 Vantage GT3s, Aston Martin is also fielding a V12 Zagato and a V8 Vantage GT4, both in the SP8 category.

With ambitions of securing Aston Martin’s third SP8 class victory at the Nürburgring  24 Hours, the #005 V12 Zagato set the second fastest time in its category, having been driven by Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez (D), Chris Porritt (GB), Wolfgang Schuhbauer (D) and Richard Meaden (GB). The #85 V8 Vantage GT4 of Jürgen Stumpf (D), Robert Thomson (AUS), Peter Cate (GB) and Mal Rose (AUS), meanwhile, was third quickest in class once the session had drawn to a close.

David King, Head of Motorsport at Aston Martin, said: “We had a couple of really good sessions today. We got both GT3s out early in the first qualifying session so that they could get out onto a clear track and they were able to set encouraging times. The drivers were pleased with the performance of the cars and they all had plenty of time to re-familiarise themselves with the circuit and the V12 Vantage GT3.”

“Our V12 Zagato and V8 Vantage GT4 drivers all did their two laps to qualify for the race and they were able to get a feel for their cars around this tricky circuit. This is a very important race for Aston Martin and this is our most ambitious entry yet. We have a 100 per cent finishing record on the Nürburgring 24 Hours and the first goal is to protect that.”

The action resumes on Friday 18 May at 0935hrs with the second qualifying session, lasting for two hours. Grid positions will be determined by the best time set over both sessions. The 40 fastest cars will then contest the third and final qualifying session, which determines the starting positions at the front of the grid.

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New Technical Training Academy opens at Aston Martin

New Technical Training Academy opens at Aston Martin

By on 15/05/2012 in News

Aston Martin is officially opening a new Technical Training Academy at its global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Occupying more than 1,400 sq metres, the purpose-developed facility provides technical working areas and classrooms equipped with the luxury sports car manufacturer’s latest models, components and tooling for hands-on training.

The centre will conduct product training for technical staff employed at the marque’s production facility along with technical and sales training for Aston Martin’s global dealer network.

Working in conjunction with the Science Engineering and Manufacturing Training Association (SEMTA), Aston Martin will offer employees the opportunity to train for nationally recognised qualifications.

Aston Martin’s Manufacturing Operations Director, Keith Stanton said: “Aston Martin is dedicated fully to the development of its employees, and the new training academy is a further step in demonstrating our long-term commitment to supporting engineering and manufacturing as an exciting and specialised industry.”

The Academy has ten technical trainers, and capacity to take more than 60 people on each course.

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Aston Martin to enter 8 Vantage race cars for Nürburgring 24 Hour

Aston Martin to enter 8 Vantage race cars for Nürburgring 24 Hour

By on 14/05/2012 in News

For the seventh successive year, Aston Martin will compete in the ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours (19/20 May) as a total of eight Vantage racers gear up for the endurance epic. The marque will field its most ambitious entry to date with four official Aston Martins – including a pair of V12-powered Vantage GT3s – supported by a further four customer cars.

In excess of 170 cars will start the fearsome 24-hour race, which runs on the daunting 25km circuit that combines the legendary Nordschleife with the modern Grand Prix track. Having focused its efforts in previous years on near production-specification cars since its 2006 Nürburgring24 Hour debut, Aston Martin will, for the first time, be represented in the senior SP9 category for FIA-homologated GT3 cars. The pair of V12 Vantage GT3s will be run in association with long-standing official partner team, Young Driver AMR.

The lead Vantage GT3, carrying the iconic #007 designation, will be driven by Johannes and Ferdinand Stuck (A) – sons of triple Nürburgring 24 Hour winner Hans-Joachim Stuck – alongside Dennis Rostek (D) and Aston Martin Racing factory driver Darren Turner (GB). Turner’s regular works team-mate, Stefan Mücke, will drive the #006 car with Tomas Enge (CZ), Fredy Barth (CH) and Oliver Mathai (D).

In addition, Aston Martin’s engineering department will return with the spectacular V12 Zagato concept car that made its Nürburgring24 Hour debut in 2011. Targeting another successful race finish will be Aston Martin Chief Executive Dr Ulrich Bez (D), Chief Engineer Chris Porritt (GB), Aston Martin Nürburgring Test Centre Director Wolfgang Schuhbauer (D) and renowned motoring journalist and racer Richard Meaden (GB).

Ahead of the race, Dr Bez said: “Our 100 per cent finishing record in thirteen starts in one of the world’s toughest endurance races is remarkable; truly a testament to the reliability of our cars and the efforts of our people. In the past six years we have deliberately focused on racing close-to-production cars, achieving seven class podiums and three class wins. For 2012, I am delighted to be returning again to drive our V12 Zagato with my engineering team, but also to have such an exciting step up with the V12 Vantage GT3s.”

The fourth official entry will be a V8-powered Vantage run by Aston Martin’s Nürburgring Test Centre team and driven by Jurgen Stumpf (D), Australians Mal Rose and Rob Thomson, and Peter Cate (GB). Aston Martin will be represented by four further customer outfits, including Team Mathol Racing, winners of the SP10 class for GT4 cars in 2010.

David King, Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, said: “The Nürburgring 24 Hour race is the most important 24-hour race in the world for GT cars. The quality of the entry in the GT3 class and throughout the field is truly impressive. It is a hugely important step for us to be challenging in the SP9 class, with a top class partner team and a fine driver line up. The V12 Vantage GT3 has a direct line to our V12 Vantage road car, sharing the same chassis and base engine, and I know all the fans will love to see and hear these cars hopefully running near the front of the pack.”

John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Team Principal, added: “2012 is a development season for the new V12 Vantage GT3 and the Young Driver AMR team are being closely supported by Aston Martin Racing to tune the car to the unique demands of the Nordschleife. We see this as the first step in a longer term plan to challenge for race victory at the Nürburgring in future years, but we are already greatly encouraged by the performance of the car in recent four hour VLN races here.”

Young Driver AMR Team Principal, Hardy Fischer, concluded: “It is an honour and also a big challenge for my team to be representing Aston Martin at this great event; it is something we have wanted to do for a long time. The racing and working conditions are unique – for the cars, the drivers and the team – it takes some getting used to, but we are ready for the challenge.”

The 40th ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours starts at 1600hrs CET on Saturday, 19 May. Keep up to date with Aston Martin’s progress on the official website or on its Facebook page and on Twitter.

Fans can follow the race live via Radio Le Mans at www.radiolemans.com, which will broadcast for the duration of the 24 hours.

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Aston Martin Vantage GTE primed for European debut at Spa

Aston Martin Vantage GTE primed for European debut at Spa

By on 27/04/2012 in News

Aston Martin Racing will continue its FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign at the second round of the series, the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, in Belgium on 5 May. The V8-powered Vantage GTE, making its first competitive outing in Europe, will once again be driven by factory regulars Darren Turner (GB), Stefan Mücke (D) and Adrian Fernandez (MX).

The team will arrive at the historic circuit off the back of two encouraging outings in the WEC and American Le Mans Series (ALMS). On its competitive debut, the Gulf-liveried Vantage GTE scored third in the GTE Pro category on the WEC season opener at the 12 Hours of Sebring, Florida, in March. This was followed by fifth position on the ALMS qualifier at Long Beach, California, in mid-April; a fine achievement given that the team started at the back of the GTE field after qualifying was abandoned due to heavy rain.

The Spa circuit, now 4.352 miles in length, is no stranger to endurance racing having hosted a 24-hour race since the 1920s and a 1000km race since the 1950s, which Aston Martin won outright in both 1955 and 1957. In recent years, the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (formerly referred to as the 1000km of Spa-Francorchamps) has provided the final opportunity for teams and drivers to prepare for the biggest race on the international endurance racing calendar, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Team Principal, is looking forward to another strong showing from the #97 Vantage GTE: “We’ll arrive at Spa full of confidence that we can deliver another competitive performance. We made real progress with the Vantage GTE during its first two races at Sebring and Long Beach, so we’ll target another WEC podium come race weekend. The whole team is looking forward to racing in Europe again, particularly at a circuit with so much heritage. The Vantage GTE hasn’t yet raced on a track such as Spa, what with its long straights and high-speed corners, so I’m sure we’ll learn a lot about the car throughout the weekend which will be beneficial for the rest of the season.”

Works driver Turner said: “We’ve had two good races now with the Vantage GTE, taking strong results in both of them. The car is coming along well now and we understand more about its performance and characteristics every time we go out. Racing at Spa is usually a highlight of a driver’s season and it’s no different for me so I hope we can continue our good work there. After the two American races this one will be more akin to Le Mans, with regards to strategy and the long lap time. It will be good for the guys to readjust from the ALMS to the WEC regulations before we head off to Le Mans.”

Team-mate Mücke added: “Spa is one of my favorite tracks and I have many good memories of racing there in the past in the Aston Martin DBR1-2 prototype. The track has a good mixture of slow and fast corners in combination with long straights and a lot of full throttle periods, which all make it good preparation for Le Mans.”

Fernandez, making just his third competitive appearance in a production-based racing car, said: “I am truly excited to be racing for the first time at Spa. This is a track that I have always wanted to drive. It is one of the most challenging circuits in the world, a first-class facility and a favorite track for many drivers with the high speeds and elevation changes. It will be a good training ground for us in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As for the season, we are off to fairly good start with a third and fifth-place finish in the Lowe’s Vantage GTE. For me personally, after testing and two races, I feel quite comfortable in the car. Everyone at Aston Martin has high expectations for this race, and I feel quite confident that we can continue to build on our momentum at Spa.”

The Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will witness the latest instalment in Aston Martin’s return to production-car derived motorsport. Having won the GT1 category at the 24 Hour of Le Mans in both 2007 and 2008 with the DB9-based DBR9, Aston Martin returned to the discipline for the 2012 season after three successful years in the prototype category. The new Vantage GTE, which shares its bonded aluminium structure and base engine with the V8

Vantage road car, has proven its considerable pace potential and durability on its first two competitive outings and continues to improve ahead of Aston Martin Racing’s two-car campaign at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Following two free practice sessions on Thursday 3 May and a third session on the morning of Friday 4 May, qualifying for the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps starts at 1510hrs later that day. The race starts at 1430hrs on Saturday 5 May. Keep up to date with Aston Martin Racing’s progress on the official website atwww.astonmartin.com/racing or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/astonmartinracing, and Twitter atwww.twitter.com/amr_official.

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Aston Martin specialists open UK’s first ‘high street’ Heritage Showroom

Aston Martin specialists open UK’s first ‘high street’ Heritage Showroom

By on 02/02/2012 in News

Nicholas Mee & Co, the world renowned, London-based, Aston Martin Heritage specialist, has now significantly expanded its business and officially opened its outstanding new West London premises, creating the first ever ‘high-street’ located, officially endorsed, Aston Martin Heritage showroom.

The company, which was established 21 years ago, has built an enviable reputation for the sales, service and restoration of all Aston Martins models. With the increasing international awareness of the Aston Martin brand and its heritage, classics from the DB4 of the 1960’s through to the Vanquish, have become globally collected.

“It seems essential to us that Aston Martin Heritage has a dedicated showroom in the heart of London”, says Nicholas Mee.

“These premises will be London’s focal point for showing and dealing in these beautiful, collectable cars. Perfectly located at a central point between Heathrow and Mayfair, our new high street showrooms offer collectors, buyers and sellers an ideal environment to showcase their cars”.

The party at the new showroom in Goldhawk Road, West London, attracted guests from across the industry, with existing customers celebrating the opening alongside senior executives from Aston Martin. In particular, Nicholas Mee & Co was delighted to welcome Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, who addressed the guests with warm words of encouragement, congratulations and support to Nicholas Mee & Co. for its commitment to the Aston Martin brand and to its Heritage programme in particular.

Also present on the night was Director of Works Service and Parts Operations, Kingsley Riding – Felce, who said:-

“Aston Martin takes its heritage very seriously, and it is crucial that current and prospective owners of our Heritage models are able to receive the kind of levels of service and specialist knowledge that is expected of the Aston Martin brand. Up until now our heritage network has not had such prominence in London and it is wonderful to see Nicholas and his team investing so heavily in the future of Aston Martin’s Heritage business’.

Full details can be found at their website.

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George Harrison’s Aston Martin DB5 sells for £350k

George Harrison’s Aston Martin DB5 sells for £350k

By on 08/12/2011 in News

An Aston Martin ordered by George Harrison in 1965 sold at auction in London on Wednesday for £350,000.00 after fierce bidding from around the world.

Manufactured in late 1964, the DB5/1896/R was supplied new on January 1st 1965 through Brydor Cars of Brooklands in Surrey to the famous Beatle and had created huge interest when it was put up for sale at the COYS True Greats Auction held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster.

There was intense bidding in the room and from telephone bidders in the United States and elsewhere. The car was eventually knocked down to an anonymous Beatle and Aston Martin fan from Houston in Texas who said:

“George Harrison would be amazed about all the money his car is going to raise for Christian causes.”

Recently, model and photographer Patti Boyd, who was married to George Harrison when he owned the DB5, was re-united with the car when it was showcased at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London.

Chris Routledge, Managing Director at car auction house COYS said: “There was a battle royal for this car which went for some £150,000.00 over its estimate.

The sale saw some £4.5 million pounds worth of cars being sold.

A Cord 810 Phaeton owned by Jimmy Page and Duncan Bannatyne sold for £80,000 and a Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster which had been stored in an Edinburgh garage for the last 23 years made £343,000, £100,000 over its estimate. A Mercedes Benz 540 K formerly owned by Bernie Ecclestone, which had been estimated at £500,000, sold for £864,000.

Chris Routledge, Managing Director of COYS said: “It was a fantastic sale with dealers and collectors from all over the world participating. There is also no doubt that many people who in the past invested in stock and shares are now looking to classic cars as a good investment for the future.”

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Sir Stirling Moss surprises wife with Aston Martin Cygnet present

Sir Stirling Moss surprises wife with Aston Martin Cygnet present

By on 12/07/2011 in News

Sir Stirling Moss took delivery of his newly purchased Aston Martin Cygnet; a surprise birthday present for wife, Lady Moss at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club last night.

One of the closest teams in motorsport for many years, Sir Stirling and Lady Moss planned a private celebratory dinner on the eve of her birthday at the Royal Automobile Club in its clubhouse the century old, ‘palace on Pall Mall’ in London. On arrival they were met with the sight of the new Aston Martin Cygnet on display in the magnificent central rotunda – the culmination of six months planning and ‘secret’ correspondence between Sir Stirling and Aston Martin to plan a surprise birthday present for Lady Moss.

Sir Stirling Moss said: “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.”

Hand-crafted at Aston Martin’s headquarters in Gaydon, taking 150 hours to complete, the Aston Martin Cygnet shares much in terms of design and craftsmanship with the company’s sports cars. Elegant and distinctive, individual and practical, the Aston Martin Cygnet is the ultimate Tailor-Fit solution for city living. Launched in May 2011 with first customer orders arriving at European dealers now, Cygnet is hand-crafted for the city and like every Aston Martin it can be uniquely personalised to suit individual taste and style, bringing a new level of luxury and bespoke capability to city cars.

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.

Adding to the occasion and its ongoing theme of long standing relationships with the marque, the Cygnet has been supplied through HWM Aston Martin, based in Walton-on- Thames, who were appointed as an official Aston Martin dealer in 1951. The longest serving of the company’s global network of 134 dealers, HWM Aston Martin was started 60 years ago by fellow Aston Martin Works Driver George Abecassis who actually gave Sir Stirling his first Grand Prix drives in 1951/52 in HWM-built cars.

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 confirms limited production of £330k V12 Zagato

Aston Martin confirms limited production of £330k V12 Zagato

By on 07/07/2011 in News

Aston Martin has confirmed today the  production of a limited number of the new V12 Zagato following its successful unveilings. After winning the award for Design in the Concepts and Prototypes class at the prestigious Villa D’ Este Concours and then going on to prove its durability with the successful completion of the gruelling 39th ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hour race, Aston Martin confirmed that there has been a great deal of interest from customers to produce the V12 Zagato.

Based on the acclaimed Aston V12 Vantage and sporting a beautifully handcrafted aluminium and carbon fibre body, the V12 Zagato will be produced in very limited numbers for discerning customers. Orders are now being taken on a strictly first come first served basis and production is expected to commence during summer 2012 at Aston Martin’s headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Of the V12 Zagato, Aston Martin Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez, said: “Such style, exclusivity and fastidious craftsmanship ensures it will be one of the most highly coveted models in Aston Martin’s 98-year history. A fabulous celebration of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the V12 Zagato is the perfect inspiration for the next 50 years of Aston Martin.”

In honour of the performance and racing heritage of previous collaborations, the first two V12 Zagatos were developed as endurance race cars from the start and went into their track debut just a week after being shown to the public for the first time on the shores of Lake Como, Italy at the Villa D’Este Concours.

Entering the new V12 Zagatos in this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hour on 25th/26th June extended the company’s racing philosophy at the famous circuit. For five years Aston Martin has signed-off its 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 went a step further by testing two cars at their prototype stage; combining forces to successfully cover more than 230 laps and over 3,700 miles in the 24 hour race at what Sir Jackie Stewart famously called ‘The Green Hell’.

Design work on the V12 Zagato began in mid-2010 with initial engineering following in January 2011.

True to both Aston Martin and Zagato, the V12 Zagato is the pinnacle of a special and exclusive offering which matches its long standing heritage with the technology and craftsmanship of today.

 

Marek Reichman, Director of Design at Aston Martin said: “The V12 Zagato is an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style.”

“The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car’s racing credentials.”

Featuring a handcrafted aluminium and carbon fibre body, the 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. Iconic Zagato design cues include 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, this Aston Martin 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 strictly limited Aston Martin V12 Zagato is on sale now, priced at £330,000 GBP (exc. local taxes) with first deliveries expected from the second half of 2012.

An Aston Martin Rapide in Alaska

An Aston Martin Rapide in Alaska

By on 25/06/2011 in News

An Aston Martin Rapide in Alaska – and hopefully no snow!

It sounds like something from a TopGear challenge as Aston Martin prepare a Rapide, their most practical model! to take on the North American wilderness by driving  the four door DB9 through Alaska.

On June 28, an Aston Martin Rapide will venture through Alaska on an epic journey taking in some of the world’s most formidable roads. This will be the iconic British marque’s first drive into America’s northernmost state and the trip will further demonstrate the endurance and durability of Aston Martin’s four door sports car.

This hand-crafted Rapide will be driven through one of the world’s most beautiful frontiers in a loop from Anchorage to Fairbanks and even as far as the Arctic Circle. An American automotive journalist will be at the wheel, testing the limits of the Rapide’s performance and agility on the infamous Dalton Highway. Ending at the town of Deadhorse, near the Arctic Ocean, the road is one of America’s most remote stretches, with grades as steep as 12% and a peak altitude of 4,739 feet at the Antigun Pass, where the Dalton Highway crosses the Continental Divide.

Aston Martin Rapide to drive Alaska

With four cossetting seats, a generous 317 liter luggage compartment and Aston Martin’s hand-built 6.0 liter V12 powerhouse at its core, the Rapide is the ideal sportscar to convey four adults over more than 1,000 miles of isolated roadways in both comfort and luxury.

Julian Jenkins, Vice President and General Manager Aston Martin The Americas commented: “Since its launch, the Rapide has been popular with customers looking for an exclusive sports car with a combination of exhilarating performance, handcrafted style, and added four-door practicality. The Rapide is the ideal car to make Aston Martin’s first exciting drive through Alaska in comfort, style and ease.”

More information can be found by visiting here.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato at Nurburgring

Aston Martin V12 Zagato at Nurburgring

By on 22/06/2011 in News

This week Aston Martin is putting the final touches to its race preparations in readiness for the toughest 24 hour race of them all – the annual ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours on the 25th and 26th June where the new Aston Martin V12 Zagatos will compete.

As they prepare for this endurance race Aston Martin has released a video of the Zagato race cars on track during practice for the 24 hour race.

This weekend marks the next step of an ambitious aston Martin project which began when the V12 Zagato was unveiled at the Concorso D’Eleganza at Villa D’Este in May this year, winning the Design award for Concepts and Prototypes.

The show car was then transformed into the number 3 race car, nicknamed ‘Zag’ (red) and will be piloted in the 24 hour race by Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez, the company’s Nürburgring Test Centre Director, Wolfgang Schuhbauer and automotive journalists Horst von Saurma and Matthew Marsh.

In addition, a green V12 Zagato (nicknamed ‘Zig’) – car number 5 for the race – was prepared by the team based at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Zig will be driven by aston Martin One-77 Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, experienced sports car driver Oliver Mathai, automotive journalist Richard Meaden and experienced amateur racer Peter Cate.

Joining the V12 Zagatos will be a V8 Vantage GT4 affectionately nicknamed ‘Smurf’ (now orange but formally blue) 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.

Three further customer team V8 Vantages will be competing over the weekend bringing the Aston Martin presence in the race up to six cars with Mathol Racing (#62), Bratke Motorsport Team – AVIA (#85) and Team Pflanz (#75) driving Vantage GT4s in the SP10 class.