18 January 2023, Gaydon, UK: Long associated with cars of exquisite style and intoxicating performance, the DBS nameplate has been attached to some of Aston Martin’s finest flagships. Since 2018 the DBS has stood at the pinnacle of Aston Martin’s series production range; a Twin-Turbo V12 powerhouse blessed with ferocious performance and unmatched style. With production of this current generation DBS nearing its end, Aston Martin is proud to introduce a DBS to surpass all others; the DBS 770 Ultimate. Continue reading
Category: Aston Martin (Page 3 of 5)
GAYDON, UK (January 12, 2023 – The past, present and future of Aston Martin is to be honoured through a year-long celebration of the iconic British brand’s 110th anniversary. Continue reading
GRAYDON, UK (January 4, 2023) – The ultimate finale to a bloodline. DBS 770 Ultimate is a final edition flagship to surpass them all. Ferocious performance 770PS. Re-engineered, sharper dynamic focus coupled with exquisite design. Only 499 examples. Uncaged early 2023. Hold on tight.
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24 June, 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin is today revealing the DB9 GT – the luxury British sports car maker’s most compelling production ‘DB’ to date. Designed to offer the best of what DB9 can be, the new car delivers world-class grand touring and hand-built excellence.
Claiming the title of the most potent DB9 yet devised, by virtue of its uprated 6.0-litre V12 engine which now boasts 547 PS – the DB9 GT makes its public debut as part of Aston Martin’s impressive presence at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The new sports car appears as Aston Martin also unveils a raft of colour, trim and equipment enhancements across its sporty Vantage and luxurious Rapide S model lines.
Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “The arrival of 16 Model Year (16MY) cars, as well as the addition of the sophisticated DB9 GT, gives us our most compelling sports car line-up to date as we continue to build our strongest ever global offering.”
DB9 GT – timeless style redefined
Since their debut in the early 1950s, the ‘DB’ models offered by Aston Martin have been synonymous with sophisticated grand touring and thrilling sports car performance.
In the tyre tracks of DB4, DB5, DB6 and DB7, today’s DB9 GT continues that distinguished tradition of luxury, excitement and style with a raft of engineering, equipment and styling developments calculated to make this the very best of what DB9 can be.
Fundamental to the new model’s unique appeal is its uprated 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine, which is capable of generating 547 PS at 6750 rpm, and 620 Nm of torque at 5500 rpm.
The all-alloy, quad overhead cam, 48-valve 5,935 cc front mid-mounted V12 is mated to the proven rear mid-mounted Touchtronic II six-speed transmission with electronic shift-by-wire control system. It carries the British luxury sports car maker’s core GT offering from rest to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 183 mph.
The independent double wishbone suspension all round continues to deliver secure handling while the three-stage Adaptive Damping System (ADS) offers distinct Normal, Sport and Track modes for the broadest possible breadth of dynamic characteristics.
However power is only part of the story, as the new Aston Martin also includes important and far-reaching equipment changes which underline its position as the best DB9 to date.
Most notable among the interior equipment updates is the arrival of the AMi II touch-sensitive Aston Martin infotainment system. While AMi debuted on the range-topping Vanquish at its launch, AMi II offers a revised menu structure which makes using the system even more user-friendly.
Building on the system launched in the Vanquish, the DB9 GT’s AMi II infotainment package sees key improvements made in a number of areas including text message integration, vehicle status information and extended background themes for greater personalisation.
Offering AM, FM, DAB and SDAR reception (US only), USB ports, Bluetooth audio streaming the system delivers superb connectivity and entertainment simply and easily.
Ian Minards, Product Development Director at Aston Martin, explained: “Refining the DB9’s already impressive attributes into what we have today in the DB9 GT has been a careful and delicate process.
“Maintaining the effortlessly refined nature of our core GT sports car, while boosting power and introducing state-of-the-art infotainment systems, has required fine judgements and painstaking engineering.
“I’m confident the result, in the shape of the DB9 GT, represents the very best of what DB9 can be, and sets the standard for luxury grand tourers in this class.”
Bespoke luxury as standard
Instantly recognised the world over as a timelessly stylish Aston Martin, the core visual characteristics of the DB9 are of course retained in the DB9 GT. Refined styling enhancements inside and out, however, signal that this new car once again leads its class.
Aside from the subtle GT badges, this new DB9 is identified by black painted splitter and diffuser, revised headlight and tail light treatments and new ten-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels. Black anodised brake calipers and a GT engraving on the aluminium fuel filler cap further distinguish the new model.
Options, for those who wish to further personalise their car, include carbon fibre tail lamp inserts, side strakes, front splitter and rear diffuser; graphite, diamond-turned ten-spoke alloy wheels and alternative brake caliper colours.
Inside, the 2+2 seating configuration remains, however the seats now boast ‘GT’ embroidery on the unique fluted leather. An iridium trim pack and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel (Coupe only) further distinguish the new car.
A broad array of options inside the DB9 GT include various centre console finishes such as Ice Mocha and Copper Cuprum, while other interior options include Duotone leather seats, door inserts and head linings; and a One-77-inspired steering wheel design.
Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said: “The purity of form and proportion, together with a lithe powerful, stance, remain at the core of what the DB9 is to look at. With these changes, we have made the DB9 GT yet more stylish, while retaining its unmistakable and globally renowned identity.”
The DB9 GT is now available to order in markets around the world, priced from £140,000 RRP (UK), €187,000 RRP (Germany), $199,950 RRP (USA).
Vantage and Rapide S revised
Not content simply with launching the DB9 GT, Aston Martin is also taking the arrival of 16MY cars to update, upgrade and enhance more of its core sports cars.
The sporting Vantage line-up and luxurious Rapide S four-door four-seat sports cars all benefit from a raft of colour, trim and equipment enhancements for 16MY, with the Vantage Coupe and Roadster models gaining a new touch-sensitive centre console fascia.
The AMi II infotainment system also makes its debut in Vantage and Rapide S, with the debut of corresponding new features such as visual vehicle status power and torque meters, offering real-time read-outs of engine bhp and torque.
New interior trim packs deliver the option of even greater personalisation for customers, with the addition of Vivid Red, Royal Mint, Black Damson and Bronze Metallic to 16MY leather palettes across the Vantage car lines.
Meanwhile, the striking Californian Poppy interior accent is now available for Vantage N430 and US-only Vantage GT buyers. Royal Mint, Spicy Red, Copper and Deep Purple stitching colours are new, too, along with revised alloy wheel designs.
New exterior colours Cinnabar Orange and Ultramarine Black debut on Vantage, too.
Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “Our process of constant improvement, development and refinement of our core sports cars never stops and the arrival of the remarkable DB9 GT, along with these important 16 Model Year updates and enhancements for the Vantage and Rapide S, all clearly demonstrate that.
“Expanding the global appeal of Aston Martin is, in part, about offering our customers the widest possible choice and with the changes we’re announcing today – alongside the ongoing development of our luxury bespoke personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin – I know we are better placed than ever to respond to our buyers’ needs.”
The global market introduction of 16MY sports cars begins in quarter three of 2015, with more details on market-specific pricing and options available in due course.
After a successful haul in our $2,000,000 Amelia Island Challenge, we’re heading south to the Auctions America sale in Fort Lauderdale. Our Petrolhead Godmother continues with her generosity; this time with $1,000,000 to play with this weekend. Using Auction America’s HIGH estimate, choose one or choose several cars (no motorbikes or automobilia) that you would like to bring home. We’ll get started:
Lot 108 — 1973 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet
Estimate $30,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $13,500 including premium
Featured in a Pick Of The Day last year, this is an presentable example of a car rarely seen on these shores. While it shows signs of wear and previous body repairs, this Peugeot 504 has had recent paint and is a complete example of a classic Pininfarina styling.
Lot 177 — 1978 Aston Martin V8 Volante
Estimate $150,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $151,250 including premium 
Not much information is in the catalog beyond the history of the V8 as a model, but this looks to be a rather tidy example, complete with books and tools. Although it is an automatic, it would still make for some very pleasant open touring.
Lot 226 — 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo (930)
Estimate $85,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $82,250 including premium
Although we aren’t given an odometer reading other than its condition belies the miles, this looks to be an excellent original example of a one-year-only 5-speed 930. Its high estimate would appear to be a bargain relative to other 1989s in like condition (not to mention the 1976 model that runs earlier in the day, estimated at $200,000).
Lot 317 — 1935 Ford Model A “Ratrod’ Pickup
Estimate $40,000
UPDATE: STILL FOR SALE high bid $26,000
This is another one of those lots that we’d chase only when Petrolhead Godmother is footing the bill, but that said, it is dandy. Powered by a 350 V8, its steel body has been chopped, stanced, channeled and dropped. Period wheels and tires cover front disc brakes. A very nicely built blend of bootleg-era looks and contemporary performance.
Lot 356 — 1949 Cadillac Series 61 Club Coupe Sedanette
Estimate $65,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $55,000 including premium 
The C-Body Cadillacs of 1948 and 1949 brought together big advances in engineering with the overhead-valve V8 and alluring looks. Here we see the first nubs of Harley Earl’s tailfins punctuating a sleek and graceful body, particularly in the fastback “Sedanette” form. This one form 1949 was a former barn find restored to its current condition with a rebuilt original drivetrain. It’s a positively gorgeous American cruiser that is said to drive quite well.
Lot 472 — 1981 Renault R5 Turbo
Estimate $75,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $49,500 including premium 
The Renault R5 Turbo is in many ways an answer to a question no-one was asking. It’s a completely insane answer, yet it makes perfect sense at the same time. Take a pedestrian Renault R5 (what we might remember as Le Car) and transform it into a mid-engined beast that eats supercars for breakfast. This example looks to have been restored at some point to what appears to be a high degree, yet appears to have been used as intended which is to drive the merde out of it. What’s not to love?
Lot 486 — 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary
Estimate $425,000
UPDATE: STILL FOR SALE high bid of $320,000
Petrolhead Godmother always says, “if you get thrown from a bull, get right back on.” We missed out on the Lamborghini Countach 5000S Quattrovalvole at Gooding and Company’s Amelia Island sale earlier this month, thus we’re somewhat compelled to try again. This time it’s the ultimate expression of the Countach, the coveted 25th Anniversary model. This one shows beautifully in its classic Italian combination of red on tan. With a recent service and less than 21,000 km, it promises to be appropriately raging.
Lot 622 — 1948 MG TC
Estimate $52,000
UPDATE: STILL FOR SALE high bid $37,500 
Few capture the charm of early British motoring the way an MG TC does. Future TDs and TFs were already becoming too modern. This one from 1948 has been used sparingly since undergoing an older high quality restoration. It condition remains show worthy, but this little thing begs to be thrown on the open road, only stopping for a picnic. The Clipper Blue finish is a nice departure as well.
We came to a total of $922,000. Buyer’s premiums will put us slightly over the million dollar mark, but once again we’ll err on the side of excess when spending the Petrolhead Godmother’s money. Let us know what your picks are in comments.
For the complete Auctions America Fort Lauderdale 2015 results click here.
December 11, 2014, Sarasota FL – The Sarasota Exotic Car Fest fired up its 13th year with a reception at Lamborghini Sarasota. The event will be held February 20-22, 2015 with a theme honoring the 30th Anniversary of Miami Vice and its car culture. Several guests at the reception got into the spirit, donning their ‘80s attire. While the centerpiece of the weekend will be the exotic cars, several other activities will be taking place, offering something for everyone.
“We continue to grow, drawing entries from as far as Washington state. This year, with the Miami Vice ‘80s theme and one-of-a-kind Cocktail Theater, promises to be our best one yet.” – Marilee Roberts, Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Chair
The weekend begins Friday night, February 20, with a luxury lifestyle reception featuring a silent auction, wine, cocktails, haute cuisine, private jets from presenting sponsor Southern Jet, and a hangar full of exotic cars from Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mclaren, Rolls Royce, and more. The next day, these cars and many more will line the streets of downtown Sarasota for an up-close-and-personal look. The concours is free and open to the public, with a VIP area presented by Full Moon Productions. A dinner follows, featuring a unique cocktail theater, presented by world-renowned mixologist Rob Floyd, as well as dancing and entertainment. Sunday begins with a rally, touring some of the area’s best driving roads, ending at The Founders Golf Club for a closing brunch.
For the third year, all proceeds benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida, Inc. For tickets or more information please visit sarasotaexoticcarfest.com.
Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Co-chairs Marilee and Gary Roberts
4 December 2014, Gaydon: Aston Martin together with EON Productions, the producers of the James Bond film franchise, unveiled Bond’s stunning new car, the Aston Martin DB10, on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios.
The luxury British sports car brand is delighted to confirm that James Bond will once again drive an Aston Martin in Spectre. On this occasion, it will be a model developed specifically for the film and built in-house by the brand’s design and engineering teams.
Led by Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, the design team worked closely with the film’s director, Sam Mendes, to create the ultimate car for the world’s most famous spy.
Celebrating the great British brand’s half century with Bond, which started with the iconic DB5, the DB10 gives a glimpse to the future design direction for the next generation of Aston Martins.
Dr Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin, said: “In the same year that we celebrate our 50-year relationship with 007, it seems doubly fitting that today we unveiled this wonderful new sports car created especially for James Bond.
“To be partnering once again with EON Productions is great news for this company and for everyone around the world that loves to see Bond at the wheel of an Aston Martin.
“I’m incredibly proud of everyone in the team at Gaydon who have brought this special project from concept to reality.”
Production will be strictly limited to 10 of the bespoke sports cars, developed and built by the designers, engineers and highly skilled craftspeople at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters.
Spectre is due for general release on 6 November 2015.
Following the release of a prototype in Oman a few weeks ago, Aston Martin has released a gallery of images to show more of what we’re missing. These include for the first time a glimpse of the exquisitely detailed interior. Chic as it may be, it is still only for a sheik to enjoy as the Lagonda remains a UAE-only model.
The ultimate in automotive luxury, the renowned Q by Aston Martin personalisation service, is now available to view in rich, lifelike detail online via an innovative new microsite.
Designed to offer an indulgent glimpse into the sumptuous world of Q by Aston Martin, this web experience has been specifically developed for public and dealer use to help communicate the many possibilities available through Aston Martin’s bespoke personalisation service.
Dr Matthew Bennett, General Manager of the Q by Aston Martin service, said: “As part of the continued major investment in our digital presence I am very pleased to announce the launch of a new Q by Aston Martin web experience.
“Following the positive reception to the launch of the Q by Aston Martin book and the expansion of the service we have now introduced a more inspirational and immersive element to our AstonMartin.com content.”
Using imagery, creative design and themed model stories from the Q by Aston Martin book, the new ‘What Inspires You?’ experience uses rich graphics and innovative parallax scrolling functionality to offer an in-depth microsite.
Features include a full introductory gallery with: contemporary inspiration section; luxury inspiration section; sporting inspiration section and nine picture galleries and features on Q by Aston Martin cars.
Going live today, the new inspirational web experience can be found at: http://q.astonmartin.com
Meanwhile, development work is ongoing on another exciting digital element to the personalisation service with news that in the next few weeks the luxury British brand will be launching a Q by Aston Martin Vanquish configurator.
Using the current Aston Martin configurator platform, the sport car company’s digital team has expanded the number of views, colour and trim choices and will also offer exclusive Q by Aston Martin options to create a more detailed and nuanced configurator experience.
Matthew Bennett said: “Sharing some of the possibilities of ‘Q’ with our huge digital audience around the world is another exciting way in which we are showcasing Aston Martin’s power, beauty and soul to enthusiasts and customers worldwide.”
The inaugural Salon Privé Sale, hosted in partnership between Silverstone Auctions & Salon Privé London, achieved some roaring results in London last night, with a 61% sales rate and a total sales value of £9.9 million.
Topping the bill at the Sale and securing a believed world-record price was an incredibly rare 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder which sold for a premium inclusive £2.27 million. A stunning 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Series II Coupe sold for a premium inclusive £707,215, more than £330,000 over its lower estimate also achieving a believed world-record.
Another rare Ferrari, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L ‘Lusso’, sold for a premium inclusive total of more than £1.89 million.
Getting the auction off to a fantastic start was a limited edition 2013 Patek Philippe 5960P-016 Gentleman’s Annual Calendar Chronograph, all proceeds of which were donated to the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity.
Porsche 911 prices continue to rise with a 1973 Porsche 911 S Targa, part of the Henry Pearman collated‘Stradale’ Collection, selling for £195,500, more than £80,000 over its lower estimate. A piece of motoring history, Range Rover chassis number 001, sold for a premium inclusive £132,250 whilst last year’s ‘Most Elegant Design’ winner, a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback, sold for a premium inclusive £1million. Aston Martin’s proved as popular as ever with a beautiful 1970 DB6 MK.II Volante selling for £954.500.
Commenting on the results Managing Director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “We’re delighted with the results from our first sale at Salon Privé. Some of the prices paid for particular cars are truly staggering and hope that both buyers and vendors alike are as happy as we are.”
“The Salon Privé Sale has exceeded all expectations, the atmosphere was both tense and electrifying with phone bidders from all over the world and in person filling the Garden Room Marquee and we are certainly looking forward to next year,” added Andrew Bagley, Managing Director and Owner – Salon Privé London.
For the full results list please visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/salon-prive.