Aston Martin Db7 Vantage on 2040-cars

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Aston Martin Vanquish S gets harder, better, faster

Now in its second generation, the Aston Martin Vanquish has finally earned a red "S" badge. That means a subtle revamp of the Vanquish's shape, speed, suspension, and interior specification to separate the new coupe from both the previous model and the new hotness, the incoming DB11. A meaner front fascia and a racy rear diffuser, both in exposed carbon fiber, reduce frontal lift. The new black quad exhaust pipes tucked into triangular cutouts just look mean. For those who want to go further, the already considerable option sheet gets new elements like carbon-fiber engine louvers and a new diamond-turned wheel design. Aston Martin also talks up an array of "striking painted graphics packs," which likely lean toward the subtle sky blue accents in the car pictured above as opposed to a purple and yellow Indy Pace Car package. The 6.0-liter V12 adds 12 horsepower for a total of 580. Larger inlet manifolds and a freer-breathing intake bestow finer throttle response for an anxious right foot. The eight-speed Touchtronic III gearbox adds refinement at the same time as it swaps cogs more quickly than before. Changes made throughout the suspension, from spring rates to damper internals, should do the trick when driving calls for more hammer than velvet. Not that you need to drive anywhere in the Vanquish S to enjoy it fully, since the cockpit is a reward unto itself. Chopped carbon fiber drenched in a satin sheen comprises the waterfall center console, in high-tech brutalist contrast to the new "Filograph" quilted seats in Bridge of Weir leather. One unsubtle aspect of the Vanquish S: the $294,950 price for the coupe, and a cool $312,950 for the Volante. Deliveries commence in December. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish S View 16 Photos LA Auto Show Aston Martin Convertible Coupe Luxury Performance aston martin vanquish 2016 LA Auto Show aston martin vanquish s

James Bond's ‘GoldenEye’ Aston Martin DB5 sells for $2.6 million

Last month, we wrote about the "GoldenEye" Aston Martin DB5 coming up for auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and reported that it was estimated to bring in $1.6 million to $2.14 million. The Aston did a lot better, as it ended up selling for a comfortable $2.6 million. The cinematic Aston's buyer turned out to be the newly founded NYC spy museum Spyscape, which is already displaying the DB5 deal on its website. As a matter of fact, Spyscape will even be offering rides in the DB5 — not a lot of people have ridden in any DB5, let alone one that has been driven by James Bond. As Hemmings notes, the DB5 in question was found for filming by Aston Martin itself along with a couple other examples. After filming wrapped up, it was restored — reportedly to address damage accumulated during the shoot — and put on a promotional tour. Stirling Moss himself drove the car onstage at the Los Angeles Auto Show, when the spiritual successor for the DB5, the DB7, was presented. It's worth noting that the car sold in 2001 for $200,000, and that it was the most expensive piece of Bond-related stuff sold at the time. Last weekend's auction price puts a zero at the end of that price, and then some. Meanwhile, if you can't afford a $2.6 million James Bond car, how about the just-out Lego kit costing $149.99? Related Video: TV/Movies Aston Martin Auctions Luxury Classics aston martin db5 db5

Aston Martin recalling majority of cars built since late 2007 over counterfeit Chinese parts

Back in June 2013, Aston Martin recalled just under 700 vehicles over faulty throttle arms that could break without warning. Bad news, for sure – and things just got a whole lot worse. According to Reuters, the British luxury brand now needs to recall 17,590 vehicles due to counterfeit plastic materials being used by a Chinese sub-supplier – that's roughly 75 percent of the company's output over the same period. Basically, here's how it boils down: with the exception of the Vanquish, Aston Martin will recall all left-hand-drive vehicles built since November 2007, and all right-hand-drive cars built since May 2012. Just as we told you in the recall notice from 2013, the accelerator arms in these cars may fracture, increasing the risk of a crash. Shenzhen Kexiang Mould Tool Co Limited, a Chinese company that molds the accelerator pedal arms in these affected models, was using counterfeit plastics, according to Reuters. These bad plastics were supplied by Synthetic Plastic Raw Material Co Ltd, of Dongguan. An Aston Martin spokesperson tells Reuters that there have been no reports of accidents or injuries in conjunction with this problem.