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Aston Martin previews EV conversions with electric 1970 DB6 Volante

If you're a fan of classic British sports cars, and you're concerned about the environment, the future is looking pretty bright. Similar to what Jaguar is preparing for old E-Types, Aston Martin has just announced that it is developing "cassette"-type electric powertrains that it can drop into classic Aston models. By "cassette," the company means that the whole powertrain assembly can be easily bolted into an existing Aston Martin, and just as easily be replaced by the original internal combustion engine if desired. The first car to undergo the electric conversion is a 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Volante, and the prototype powertrain bolts up to the factory engine and transmission mounts. If it weren't for a photo showing it plugged into a charger, it would be impossible to tell that it had an electric motor under the skin. Even the interior looks unchanged. Aston Martin says that a small screen has been added that displays motor and battery management, but we can't find it in the photos. This is a stark contrast to the Jaguar E-Type Zero Concept that featured a modern interpretation of the original interior. Aston Martin didn't reveal any detailed specifications of the powertrain, though. So horsepower and range are complete mysteries at the moment. Aston did note that production examples of this powertrain will use components from the very limited-production Rapide E. That sedan used dual motors for 610 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. Surely the conversion kit will only use one motor for packaging, and since the Rapide E's full power would be unnecessary and deviate far from the original performance and character of the classic car. Also, Aston claimed a range of over 200 miles for the Rapide E, but classic conversions may be less due to space restrictions. Something closer to the E-Type Zero's 170-mile range seems likely, and coupled with DC fast charging, should be more than enough for a car that likely won't be driven as often or as far as a more modern vehicle. Exact timing and availability still have yet to be announced. Aston only said that it plans to start on conversions sometime in 2019. Since Aston plans on delivering Rapide E models toward the end of 2019, the year is shaping up to be a big one for electric Astons. Related Video:

Aston Martin reveals new V12 Vantage S Roadster as its fastest droptop to date

You have to hand it to Aston Martin. Its entry-level V8 Vantage may be nearly a decade old, but the British automaker never tires of rolling out ever more powerful versions. Where the original packed a 4.3-liter V8 derived from a Jaguar design and producing 380 horsepower, this latest version packs 565 hp to become the company's quickest and fastest roadster to date, not to mention its most powerful. Following the debut of the V12 Vantage S coupe, the new V12 Vantage S Roadster packs the most powerful iteration of Aston's ubiquitous 6.0-liter V12 engine to date. Equipped with CNC-machined combustion chambers and hollow camshafts, unburdened of 44 pounds of excess weight and mated to Gaydon's latest Graziano-developed Sportshift III seven-speed sequential gearbox, that engine is capable of propelling the open-top rocket to 60 in 3.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 201 miles per hour. That's considerably quicker than the flagship Vanquish Volante, which runs to 60 in 4.1 seconds and tops out at 183 mph, painting the V12 Vantage S Roadster as Aston's most performance-focused droptop to date. It's also got a flatter and fatter torque curve than the previous V12 Vantage Roadster, three-stage adaptive damping, three-stage stability control and two-stage ABS, carbon-ceramic disc brakes and a lightweight exhaust derived from the pipes on the One-77. Like what you see? There are more details to digest in the press release below, including a full range of customization options from the Q by Aston Martin catalog. ASTON MARTIN V12 VANTAGE S ROADSTER – AN OPEN INVITATION TO EXCITEMENT - Debut of the luxury brand's most potent and exhilarating roadster yet - 6.0-litre V12 engine: 565 bhp and 620 Nm delivers 201 mph top speed - Supreme agility and intense excitement characterise new model Aston Martin is opening up a new world of exhilarating driving excitement with the announcement of the hotly anticipated V12 Vantage S Roadster. When it arrives in markets around the world later this year the new sports car will become the luxury British marque's most potent, fastest and fastest-accelerating series production roadster to date and follows in the broad tyre tracks of the V12 Vantage S Coupe that was launched to worldwide acclaim in 2013.

Bathurst 12-hour gallery is GT3 heaven [w/video]

The 2015 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-Hour race was run this weekend at the Mt. Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, Australia. Race photographer Joel Strickland sent us a huge batch of photos, all of which make us salivate for the switch to GT3 rules in the United SportsCar Championship; the top seven finishers at Bathurst were of seven different makes: Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, Audi R8-LMS Ultra, Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Bentley Continental GT3, Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, Ferrari F458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo. It was a sweet victory for the No. 35 car driven by the NISMO Athlete Global Team after it crashed in Saturday qualifying, and then was only in third place on the penultimate lap. The three-man driving team included two GT Academy winners, one of whom, Florian Strauss, has only been a professional race car driver for 18 months. It's the first time the GT-R has won at Panorama since the original R32 "Godzilla" took back-to-back wins in 1991 and 1992. Second place went to the No. 15 Phoenix Racing Audi R8-LMS Ultra, 2.4 seconds behind the winners, third to the Craft Bamboo Racing Aston Martin Vantage not even half a second behind the Audi. The Bentley Motorsport team, in its first Bathurst 12-Hour with two cars, had its No. 10 Continental GT3 in the lead until the penultimate lap and in second place until the final corner, but crossed the line in fourth after some rubbin'-is-racin' action from chasers. And if pictures aren't enough, as of writing you can still watch the live stream of the entire race at the Bathurst 12-Hour site. Or, if you don't have the time, at least be sure to check out the last five minutes, below. Enjoy. Featured Gallery 2015 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-Hour View 118 Photos Image Credit: Copyright 2015 Joel Strickland / AOL Motorsports Aston Martin Audi Bentley Nissan Coupe Racing Vehicles Videos aston martin vantage gt3