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| Aston Martin Unveils Performance Concept Car |
At the official opening of Aston Martin's first ever dedicated design centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire, on Tuesday 11 December, Dr Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive Officer, thrilled an audience of more than seven hundred VIP guests with a surprise unveiling of a stunning new 600bhp performance concept car; the V12 Vantage RS.
The V12 Vantage RS concept is based on Aston Martin's critically acclaimed V8 Vantage coupe, but the company's design and engineering team have fully exploited the design flexibility of their unique VH architecture and the motor sport development of their 6.0 litre V12 engine to create a dramatic and production feasible concept car focussed on extreme performance and dynamics.
In a speech to the assembled guests, Ulrich Bez said: "Over the last five years, we have established a reputation for presenting fully functional, feasible concept cars, and the V12 Vantage RS is no exception. We will listen with interest to feedback on this concept and, as ever, 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.
"With our dedicated production facilities, our own engine plant, our own unique vehicle architecture and now a dedicated design studio, we have the ideal framework to bring new models such as this to market and to further establish Aston Martin as the ultimate independent luxury sports car company."
Although the 600bhp power output of the V12 Vantage RS concept will be the focus of attention, just as significant is the level of weight reduction achieved by Aston Martin's engineering team. With a kerb weight of less than 1600kg, the RS concept underlines Aston Martin's continued commitment to intelligent use of materials and weight reduction as a means of achieving improved efficiency and performance. In common with the recently launched DBS, the bonnet and trunk lid are moulded in carbon fibre and the concept also adopts motor sport-inspired carbon ceramic brake discs.
The subtly aggressive exterior appearance is driven by function. The dramatic bonnet louvres extract air from the fully ducted cooling pack and the trunk lid features a deployable spoiler that rises automatically at high speeds to increase rear down force. The front bumper features cooling ducts for the carbon ceramic brakes and a carbon fibre splitter to balance down force.
Director of Design, Marek Reichman, commented: "Much of Aston Martin's recent success has come from the ability of our designers and engineers to work hand-in-hand to optimise form and function. Our new dedicated design centre will take this process to a new level and I am delighted that the V12 Vantage RS is the first car to stand on the turntable in the studio."
The 600bhp 6.0 litre engine featured in the V12 Vantage RS concept has benefited directly from the race development of this acclaimed power unit. It features a dry sump lubrication system, tuned length exhaust manifolds, forged pistons and steel con-rods, revised lift and duration camshafts and modified cylinder heads. Peak power is achieved at 6250rpm and peak torque of 690Nm is at 5000rpm.
With a power-to-weight ratio of over 375bhp per ton, the V12 Vantage RS concept is the fastest accelerating road car ever built by the company, capable of reaching 62mph (100km/h) from rest in 4.0 seconds and 100mph (160km/h) in just 8.5 seconds.
The unveiling of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS concept concludes a remarkable year of new product announcements for the British manufacturer. In the last 12 months the company has launched two of the most eagerly anticipated sports cars of the year - the DBS and Vantage Roadster - and announced details of the DB9 LM and V8 Vantage N400 special editions which celebrate the company's racing successes at Le Mans and the Nϋrburgring. All of these models now join the award-winning V8 Vantage, DB9 and DB9 Volante models in production at the company's Gaydon headquarters. |
| Aston Martin celebrates flagship Vanquish model |
Aston Martin has announced two exciting developments for both new and existing customers of the company's flagship Vanquish S.
Just 40 examples of a new Vanquish S Ultimate Edition will be handcrafted at the company's Newport Pagnell production facility in Buckinghamshire. The model represents a luxurious and unique limited edition befitting the Vanquish S's status as the ultimate Aston Martin and also celebrates the skilled craftsmanship of the team working at Newport Pagnell.
The Ultimate Edition will be available by special request to customers wishing to celebrate the last of a significant car in Aston Martin's history. Initial feedback suggests the whole allocation of this special edition will be sold within weeks of launch.
The Ultimate Edition centres on changes to the Vanquish S's renowned colour and trim. On the exterior, these changes include a unique 'Ultimate Black' - a striking new colour which will only be available with this car. Inside, the Vanquish S cabin is trimmed in a semi-aniline leather, with coarse stitching, leather headlining and black chrome finish interior fittings. Each car will also be fitted with personalised sill plaques denoting the limited edition number.
The Vanquish S Ultimate Edition retains all performance capabilities of the standard Vanquish S - and accordingly its position as the fastest ever production Aston Martin, capable of a top speed in excess of 200mph (321km/h). No additional charge will be made for the Ultimate Edition, available only with the 2+2 seating arrangement, priced at £182,095.
For existing Vanquish customers, Aston Martin's world renowned Works Service department are to offer a new transmission conversion for owners of the company's flagship model, adding to their reputation for an unparalleled level of personalisation.
Serving as a further example of the depth of bespoke services available via Works Service, existing Vanquish owners will now be able to order a transmission conversion from the car's existing Auto Shift Manual (ASM) system, to a conventional stick-shift manual.
Working in conjunction with the company's Special Vehicles Operations team from Gaydon, Works Service has developed the system over the last 12 months, before previewing the conversion to selected Vanquish customers.
Kingsley Riding-Felce, Director, Customer Care and Works Service, said: This project underlines our commitment to adapting to customer requests, whether they are for Aston Martins from the past or modern cars such as the Vanquish S.
Since its launch in 2001, the Vanquish has been equipped with fingertip controlled, Formula 1-style paddles which enables almost imperceptible gear changes in under 250 milliseconds. Advanced electronics also permit the close ratio six speed manual transmission to be programmed to operate automatically.
Drivers with a preference for a conventional stick-shift transmission will now have the option of this new Works Service-only modification which is available to order immediately, with prices commencing from £13,250 (+ VAT).
Established as a modern classic, the Vanquish's muscular 2+2 epitomises Aston Martin's core values of power, beauty and soul. It is the ultimate sports car for the discerning owner. Since its launch, the Vanquish has proved to be a huge success for Aston Martin with over 2000 cars delivered to customers around the world. In 2002 the Vanquish graced the screens of millions, starring alongside 007 in the James Bond film 'Die Another Day.'
Located at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, Aston Martin Works Service offers a factory-backed workshop with the experience necessary to care for any Aston Martin or Lagonda with unparalleled skill and attention to detail. With more than 40 years experience, the Works Service team offers accident repair, servicing, maintenance and even full restoration capabilities to Aston Martin and Lagonda owners. In 2006 more than 2000 customers called upon Works Service expertise, a number which is expected to be surpassed again in 2007. |
| Aston Martin Racing takes pole positions |
Aston Martin Racing dominated the final GT1 qualifying session for the 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours. Its two DBR9s stormed to the top of the timesheets, taking first and second places, with Czech driver Tomas Enge taking a record fifth consecutive pole position at the La Sarthe circuit.
Thankfully, the heavy rainfall that marred yesterday's sessions abated today and both qualifying sessions were run in ideal conditions. Lap times improved as more rubber was laid down and Enge set his fastest lap with just 15 minutes of the second two-hour session remaining.
George Howard-Chappell, Team Principal, Aston Martin Racing commented: We're very pleased with that. Everything went to plan; we ran through our race preparations and double-stinted the tyres, which worked well for us. Then, right at the end we did a few laps on low fuel and new tyres to set a time.
The only issue we had was a minor brake issue on car 007 at the end of session one. It was caused by a bit of debris and was easily rectified. We must now focus on the race and work methodically through our usual preparations. But so far so good.
2nd QUALIFYING (1900-2100hrs; 2200-2400hrs)
CAR 007: 1st GT1 (20th overall) 3:52.015s
Drivers: Darren Turner, Andrea Piccini, Tomas Enge
As was the case yesterday, Turner drove first. He completed two stints and double-stinted his set of Michelin tyres. Piccini then took over to complete further trouble-free laps, before handing over to Enge, who had a minor brake issue caused by some debris. The problem was easily rectified and when Enge was given the car at the end of session two, the track was at its fastest and he duly delivered pole position.
Tomas Enge (Czech Republic): I'm very happy to have taken pole position today. It means a lot, but I could have done a better time, but I hit traffic in the last sector. We know that we have a good car here; we must now make no mistakes in the race.
Darren Turner (Britain): I'm happy with how things went today. These were my first dry laps of the track this year, so it was very useful. The overall balance of the car wasn't perfect during my stint, but it was driveable.
Andrea Piccini (Italy): After the wet weather of yesterday, we had to re-learn braking points today and get used to the cars in the dry. The track was quite green to begin with, but it improved a lot.
CAR 009: 2nd GT1 (21st overall) 3:52.561s
Drivers: Pedro Lamy, Stephane Sarrazin, Stephane Ortelli
Lamy drove to begin with, completing consistently fast laps before handing over to Sarrazin, who went even quicker to end the first session on provisional pole position. Sarrazin drove first in session two, before handing the car to Ortelli, and then taking it back at the end of the session to set a time just 0.5s behind Enge.
Pedro Lamy (Portugal): I drove in the first session only, but I still managed to complete a lot of laps. The tyres were fine when I double-stinted them and I was quite happy with the car.
Stephane Ortelli (Monaco): I drove some fast laps at the end of my stint, but I didn't want to risk anything because I didn't want to make a mistake in such a beautiful car. We're back to where we were in pre-qualifying and the car feels good.
Stephane Sarrazin (France): Our lap times prove that we have a very good car. I drove some good laps and had no issues at all. The car was quick at the end, which bodes well for the race.
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| Aston Martin celebrates a weekend of endurance racing |
Aston Martin will be celebrating a weekend of endurance racing when the marque contests at both the 24-hour Nurbringring race and the 24 Heures du Mans.
Nurburgring
An estimated quarter of a million fans will see a near standard V8 Vantage take part in one of the toughest events in motor sport. The 25.4km circuit combines the new Nurburgring GP circuit with the legendary Nordschleife and this year will have 230 cars on its three starting grids. The V8 Vantage entering the race was prepared by a team of employees at the Aston Martin Gaydon factory in England.
Aston Martin's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, said: This race is an opportunity to showcase how a standard Vantage combines both speed and durability. With this 24-hour race running parallel to Le Mans, it is an exciting opportunity for the Aston Martin team and it promises to be a very exciting weekend for fans of our marque.
Dr Bez's love of motor sport goes further than purely supporting the programme. He shares the driving with Chris Porritt, Aston Martin's Vehicle Engineering Manager, fellow development driver Wolfgang Schuhbauer, and Horst von Saurma, editor-in-chief of Sport Auto magazine in Germany who has years of Nurburgring racing and testing experience.
Chris Porritt added: During the Vantage development programme we logged thousands of kilometres at the Nϋrburgring and this endurance race seemed to offer the perfect place to celebrate the car's pedigree.
Testing over three previous four-hour races at the famous German circuit has shown the V8 Vantage is perfectly capable of doing exactly that, scoring a series of credible class finishes, including one class victory.
The V8 Vantage is almost entirely production standard, including engine and transmission but will run in the dry on Yokohama slicks on special wheels that are slightly wider than standard and 18-inch rather than 19-inch diameter - but overall almost precisely the same size as the standard road tyres, so even the ABS and stability settings have not been recalibrated.
The only other modifications are for safety and pit-lane efficiency, with the full mandatory safety cage, special fuel tank and fire system, racing seat, and built-in air jacks. Showing the team's attention to detail, the otherwise standard dashboard will be covered with Alcantara rather than leather, to cut out stray reflections during the night when there can be more than 200 cars on the circuit. Most glass is also replaced by polycarbonate, so in total the car is fractionally lighter than the standard V8 Vantage, but in racing terms the car will be as close to the road going specification as possible.
Le Mans
Meanwhile at Le Mans, four Aston Martin DBR9s will be chasing victory in the GT1 category, in front of a crowd that traditionally includes tens of thousands of
flag-waving British enthusiasts.
Aston Martin Racing's two DBR9s will be driven by Tomas Enge (Czech Republic), Andrea Piccini (Italy) and Darren Turner (UK), who will share the number 007 car. In car number 009 are Pedro Lamy (Portugal), Stephane Ortelli (Monaco) and Stephane Sarrazin (France). Also competing at Le Mans will be the Aston Martin Racing BMS Scuderia Italia DBR9, which will run with the number 69, and the number 62 Russian Age Racing (Team Modena) DBR9.
As a tribute to the Aston Martin DBR9s at Le Mans, the V8 Vantage racing at the Nurburgring will have the famous green and yellow colours - but in this case spectacularly reversed, with warm yellow bodywork and green around the signature grille opening.
So while the DBR9s will be fighting the whole way at Le Mans, their colleagues at the Nϋrburgring intend to run at a quick but comfortable and consistent pace, avoid other car's incidents, and complete the 24-hours race. |
| Aston Martin reveals James Bond's DBS for Casino Royale |
Aston Martin has unveiled the new DBS which will be driven by James Bond, the legendary British secret agent, in the next 007 film, CASINO ROYALE, to be produced by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions.
In true Bond style, specific details of the new DBS remain top secret, although Aston Martin Design Director, Marek Reichman, said: This car encapsulates a link between our elegant DB9 road car and the powerful DBR9 race car. It signals an evolutionary development of Aston Martin's world renowned style and elegance.
While hinting at our future design direction, the DBS also has very clear links with our heritage - it is instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin.
Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez added: The DBS continues our proud and lengthy association with James Bond.
The DBS is not of the understated elegance of a DB9, nor the youthful agility of the V8 Vantage. It is explosive power in a black tie and has its own unique character which will equal that of James Bond.
Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, CASINO ROYALE is scheduled for release in November, 2006. |
| Aston Martin's Retail Design Programme |
Aston Martin enters 2006 with 125 dealers in 27 countries around the world, the results of an ambitious expansion led by a strong brand identity, with the emphasis on design and attention to detail. The company's dealership presence continues to expand, with new showrooms recently opening in Sandton, South Africa, Queensland, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Major projects are currently under construction including Nagoya Japan, Towcester, UK, as well as Newport Beach in the US, Hong Kong, Bordeaux and Milan.
Architecture and design are very important to Aston Martin. The company's award-winning headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, is a low-lying structure clad in natural buff sandstone. Designed by the Weedon Partnership, the Headquarter's broad curving stone wall, crisp fasades, light-filled internal courtyards and display spaces are the perfect showcase for Aston Martin's advanced model range, with their combination of fine craftsmanship and high technology. The new showrooms build on Gaydon's success, as well as looking to the work of influential modernist architects like Mies van der Rohe, Mendelsohn and Chermayeff.
The Retail Design Programme is ongoing and diverse, ranging from new build pavilions to the conversion of a classical building in the centre of Munich. Others include spaces for entertaining and events, like Aston Martin Dallas, which houses a private owners' club lounge, or the new Johannesburg dealer, which is beneath a new restaurant and has a glazed partition overlooking the dealership's workshop, making it a fascinating space for the enthusiast to visit. The coffee bar which debuted in the striking twin-level Brussels showroom, has subsequently evolved into a central feature of recent dealerships, encouraging casual visitors.
Aston Martin has worked closely with design consultants Imagination on the Retail Design Programme to ensure that each new location is a unique structure, reflecting Aston Martin's tradition of craftsmanship and bespoke service. Each location shares a number of common design elements, combining the modernist simplicity of the Gaydon HQ with individuality and suitability for each site. 'The design has evolved a great deal over the last four years,' says Aston Martin's Retail Brand Manager Jenny Jones, who collaborates closely with Imagination on the programme.
The architectural components are refined, combined with elements more normally associated with luxury 'designer' hotels and boutiques than car showrooms. Dr Ulrich Bez, Chairman and CEO of Aston Martin, notes that, 'our customers will be shopping in stores on Bond Street, via Montenapoleone and Fifth Avenue. Why would their car dealership be any different?'
Extensive research into materials, furnishings and architectural features has resulted in dealerships that resemble elegant modernist structures, varying in scale and layout but sharing a core design identity. 'We can adapt the concept according to each individual requirement,' says Imagination's Senior Designer Abigail Grummitt. Where possible, the key visual components are the low, pavilion-style height of the building and a rigorous metre-squared floor grid and half-metre wall grid that ensures proportions remain harmonious throughout. Internal walls are carefully positioned to break up the space into a series of smaller, more intimate spaces, with different floor levels and low ceilings making further divisions.
Simple, clearly defined materials, including glass, aluminium, pure white render, cast concrete and specially selected slabs of Italian travertine marble, mirror the careful and logical use of natural materials in Aston Martin's luxurious and tactile car interiors. The showroom's matt finish marbled floors contrast with the functional surfaces used in the workshops. The exteriors are equally important, with cantilevered roofs that appear to float above the building and clear floor to ceiling glazing that unites inside and outside space. Where possible, recessed water features or pebble gardens and simple geometric planting accentuates the crisp geometry of each dealership, while concealed lighting enhances the architectural features once the sun goes down.
Architecturally, the long-slung structures, with their emphasis on linear planes, draw upon classic modernist architecture, notably the 1929 Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe, an iconic design that was reconstructed in 1986 and still retains its contemporary feel. 'The whole showroom has a very design classic feel - with Le Corbusier Grand Confort sofas and Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs used in the public areas,' says John Muirhead, Aston Martin's Brand Communication Manager. 'This conveys a timeless classic feel, like an Aston Martin itself.'
Modern furniture icons and rich materials add to the feeling of exclusivity with each new building fitted out with products specified from a core team of leading manufacturers. The chairs, with their combination of chromed steel and leather, form architectural elements that break up the spaces, giving them a more domestic and intimate feel. The showrooms also showcase modern furniture designed by Charles and Ray Eames, Norman Foster and Harry Bertoia.
Each dealership displays a select few examples of Aston Martin's model line-up; V8 Vantage, DB9 and Vanquish S, as carefully positioned as a piece of sculpture presented in an intimate, gallery-style space, a world apart from the conventional motor showrooms that often flank the pavilion. Displays for Aston Martin's select range of merchandise are integrated into each dealership in jewellery boxes and display cases that convey a boutique-like feel.
There is also space for displaying works from the Aston Martin Meets Art series, a collection of fine art photographs by Rene Staud depicting the Aston Martin model range alongside iconic and evocative works of contemporary art, sculpture and installation. Staud's lens combines the vision of the original artists with the flowing dynamic lines of the car, creating a unique and dramatic collection of original images.
Aston Martin depends on creating and building one on one relationships with its new and existing customers. Many dealerships have a separate lounge with a wall of paint and trim samples, allowing potential customers privacy and space to specify their car. No detail is overlooked; even the washrooms are designed to equal the look and feel of an upscale hotel suite, with clean, modern lines.
Aston Martin's new dealerships are welcoming spaces, neither aloof nor exclusive. The success of the company's approach was recently demonstrated by the announcement that the Cheltenham dealership has won a prestigious 2006 Civic Society Award for its architectural contribution to the historic Regency spa town. New dealerships will continue to open throughout 2006, blending modern design and innovation with traditional materials and iconic furniture. |
| Aston Martin Racing second and third in Sebring thriller |
In Florida the Aston Martin Racing team finished the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race in second and third place after a thrilling finale in the GT1 competition.
The team's two Aston Martin DBR9s ran faultlessly throughout the race. Between them, the classic green cars, numbered 007 and 009, completed 661 laps of the 3.7 mile Sebring international raceway, covering a total of 2,445 miles at speeds of up to 168mph. Team driver Tomas Enge set the fastest GT1 lap of the race (1min 56.573.sec) in car 007.
The driving team of Pedro Lamy, Stephane Sarrazin and Jason Bright brought Aston Martin number 009 home in second place, with a total of 337 laps, after a long battle with the class winning number four Corvette. After 12 hours of racing, the gap between the pair was 1min 28sec. The team's sister car, number 007, driven by Tomas Enge, Darren Turner and Nicolas Kiesa, was involved in another transatlantic tussle with the second American Corvette entry that culminated in a nail biting battle to the chequered flag. Tomas Enge drove a double stint to finish the race third and keep the hard chasing Corvette behind.
The opening round of the 2006 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) started at 1045hrs in dry and sunny conditions. By midday the temperature of the 17-turn concrete circuit had reached 36°C. The Aston Martin Racing cars had qualified in first and second place but the early hot and slippery conditions proved tricky for both cars. With limited experience of their new Pirelli tyres, the team had to work hard and learn fast to keep up with the competition.
Darren Turner drove the first stint in the 007 car and held the GT1 lead for the first 20 laps. I was happy with the start, we got away well and kept a nice pace for the first ten laps but by about lap 14 we really started to suffer with the rear of the car over-steering and by lap 20 I was more concerned with keeping it on track than keeping the opposition behind me.
At the half way point, car number 009 led the team's charge. After making adjustments to the set up of their DBR9, the driving crew of Lamy, Sarrazin and Bright reported improved balance and less of the oversteer that had caused problems earlier. Having completed 165 laps of the 3.7mile circuit, the 009 Aston Martin held third place in GT1, but slipped one lap behind the leader after being caught behind the safety car. DBR9 number 007 was fourth in GT1, but thirteen laps behind the leader after an incident on lap 121 forced a 20 minute repair stop. The car returned to the garage when the bonnet and part of the front wings, previously damaged in a spin, flew off as it negotiated a high speed section of the circuit.
Nine hours in, with 250 laps completed and headlamps blazing in the darkness, the team was second and third in GT1. A reliable and consistent performance from the number 009 DBR9, together with some mechanical problems for the Corvette ahead, helped move the red-nosed Aston Martin of Lamy, Sarrazin and Bright to second in class. After gaining a position in their own Corvette battle, the number 007 car of Enge, Turner and Kiesa was third.
In the closing stages of the race, the drivers of Aston Martin number 009 consolidated their second place, while in the 007 car Tomas Enge was locked in the battle with the number three Corvette. For the last ten laps the pair was separated by less than a second. |
| James Bond back with Aston Martin for 'Casino Royale' |
Aston Martin announces James Bond, the legendary British secret agent, will drive one of its models in the next 007 film, 'CASINO ROYALE' to be produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for Eon Productions.
Daniel Craig, who will play James Bond in the film, which is due to be released in November 2006 by MGM/Sony, visited the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, on Friday to view the featured car. While there he met Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez, and members of the workforce and also took the opportunity to take a short test drive.
In the true tradition of Bond, full details of the car to be used in 'CASINO ROYALE' are being kept top secret but the company did confirm that it would be a new model called the Aston Martin DBS.
Dr Ulrich Bez said: It is great news that Bond will drive an Aston Martin again and we have built him something special to enable him to do his job in style.
The association with the marque began in 1964 with the film 'Goldfinger' when the DB5 was fitted with 'optional extras' such as ejector seats and rockets. The last Bond film, 'Die Another Day', featured Aston Martin's flagship model, the Vanquish. |
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