Posts for 'Aston Martin' Category

It had been an extremely bad week for Aston Martin, the once-failing British sports car maker that went through a miraculous make-over to re-establish itself as an iconic marque - and to return to profit.
  

Aston Martin V12 RS
Top class: the V12 RS, a recent high-powered Aston Martin concept

First it was targeted by the former chairman of Shell, Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, who decided that all gas-guzzling cars that do less than 35 miles to the gallon should be banned. Aston was the only sinner that Moody-Stuart mentioned by name. "We need very tough regulations saying that you can't build or drive something less than a certain standard. You would be allowed to drive an Aston Martin but only if it did 50-60mpg," he said. Aston Martins currently average 17-18mpg.

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The spy shooters at KGP look like they've caught a former secret agent man going topless in Sweden. That's right, it's the new Aston Martin DBS -- but wait, what's this, since when has there been a convertible version -- a Volante? Apparently the DBS thinks it's been retired as Bond's car, spending it's time getting a little bit of rest, relaxation and possibly some skiing in with a new drop-top model. Apparently someone hasn't been reading the press releases and doesn't know they've got to get back to the set soon. Or maybe it's because the new owners of the car company all about Bond girls need to get something new out while they try to figure out what they'll be doing about that whole not-having-a-new-platform issue they've got going on. Full spy report from KGP after the jump. UPDATE: KGP got us a new daylight shot so you can check out all of the drop-top hotness by dawn's early sunlight -- the shot's in the gallery below.

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Looking almost identical to the V8 Vantage coupé on which it is based, this is Aston Martin's latest high-powered concept, the V12 Vantage RS.Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS Vantage points: Aston Martin V12 Vantage RSThe output is impressive: 600bhp and 509lb ft on tap from the 6.0-litre V12 engine, allied with a kerb weight of less than 1.6 tons, giving the car a power-to-weight ratio of 375bhp per ton. Yet the concept is "production feasible", according to Aston.At its unveiling at the new Aston design centre in Gaydon, Ulrich Bez, the company's chief executive, said "We will listen to feedback on this concept and if there is sufficient demand then we will seriously consider a low-volume production run in the near future, with a price that will reflect the exclusivity of the car."Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Daniel Craig will again drive an Aston DBS, the company's flagship model, in the next Bond film.

Aston Martin yesterday openned its first dealer in China in Shanghai's Xin Tian Di District, according to a Chinese newspaper, citing the company's press release.The Shanghai Aston Martin Retail Center, franchised by GruppeM, extends Aston Martin's global dealership network into China for the first time in the company's 94-year history. The center is designed to hold five sleek models including the DB9 Volante, DB9 coupe and V8 Vantage. These models went on sale yesterday with prices costing between two million yuan (US$270,270) and three million yuan each, Shanghai Daily reported.There will also be an exclusive Aston Martin service facility located close to Hongqiao airport, and another showroom for three Aston Martin cars will be located in the Beijing's Central Business District early next month.China's luxury car market in China has been developping rapidly in recent years. However, Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin's Chief Executive Officer, explained that it was important to wait until the right partner was found.

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Aston Martin's 2008 GT1-class racing plan still is not finalized, but it might battle Chevrolet in GT2. Prodrive, which runs Aston's racing programs, has a test car up and running.Prodrive's test mule is based on the V8 Vantage. The car would race against the new GT2 Chevy Corvette built by Riley Technologies (Competition, Oct. 15). "This is more of a GT2 test hack than a car that conforms to any regulations," said George Howard-Chappell, who heads Aston Martin Racing at Prodrive. "We are evaluating the V8 platform, and this car will help us answer some key questions."Aston regular Darren Turner tested the car at the MIRA proving ground in England in early November and drove it again recently at Goodwood. Prodrive was set to take the Vantage to Spain, where the DBR9 GT1 car also will run, the week of Nov. 12 for a Michelin tire test. Howard-Chappell said the Vantage project's future will be clearer after that."We could have cars ready for next year but not in very high numbers," he said. "It is important to stress that right now, we have not committed to building and selling GT2 cars."As for Aston's GT1 plans, it almost certainly will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a pair of DBR9s to defend its 2007 win. A full season in the American Le Mans Series is unlikely unless the team finds enough sponsorship.

Aston Martin will take two special models to Frankfurt. The V8 Vantage N400 draws its inspiration from the V8 Vantage N24 production race car that won its class in the Nurburgring 24 hour race. Compared to the standard V8 Vantage, the N400 receives a power upgrade, lifting the 4.3-litre V8’s output to 400 Hp and maximum torque to 420 Nm. In terms of handling, each V8 Vantage N400 comes equipped with a new sports suspension with up-rated springs and dampers and a new rear anti-roll bar.The DB9 LM commemorates Aston’s GT1 class victory in the Le Mans 24-hour race in June. Available exclusively as a Coupe and only with Touchtronic transmission, the DB9 LM differentiates itself from the standard model thanks to the unique Sarthe Silver exterior paint finish, meshes and rear crossbar finished in Magnum Silver and red brake calipers.

zFord has received a massive $931 million for the sale of Aston Martin, they sold this UK GT maker earlier this year many believed that Ford had actually wanted $965 million for the company, but Ford later said that they revised this price to $870 million.The $931 million was not just a cash deal, but a payment also came in the way of preferred stock in Primrose Cove Ltd, they are the holding company for the group of investors who purchased Aston Martin. There are many investors who now have a slice of this great British GT car maker, you have Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co, these are investment firms in Kuwait, John Sinders a banker and finally David Richards who it the boss of Prodrive.Although many though that Ford would make a loss by selling Aston Martin, the car maker actually made a pretax gain of $187 million.

Sean Connery as James Bond and his DB5

Ford’s President said, “The sale of Aston Martin supports the key objectives of the company, to restructure to operate profitably at lower volumes and changed model mix and to speed the development of new products,"
Ford Motor Company announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Aston Martin, its prestigious sports car business, to a consortium comprised of David Richards, John Sinders, Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co. This transaction is the result of Ford's decision, as announced in August 2006, to explore strategic options for the Aston Martin business as the company restructures its core automotive operations and builds liquidity.

The consortium headed by Dave Richards, the owner of motorsport specialist Prodrive, is to buy Aston Martin from its parent company Ford. The deal is worth £479 million to Ford and guarantees around 1,800 jobs in the UK. Building more than 7,000 cars in 2006, Aston Martin is by far the most profitable division of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group (PAG). Dave Richards is already on the move, stepping into stepping into the role of non-executive chairman of Aston Martin, while Dr Ulrich Bez, as the current chief executive, will look after the management and day-to-day operations 
Dr. Bez, the man who did the most to transform Astron Martin from a struggling bit-player to one of the world’s best known luxury brands, also confirmed that he will stay at the helm for at least five years . However Ford upholds a stake worth £40 million in the company, and will continue to supply parts and expertise, besides sharing technology and providing Aston Engines built in Germany through Ford’s collaboration.