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2017 Aston Martin DB11 Prototype First Drive

Flashback: Geneva. The 2017 Aston Martin DB11 debuts, its artfully sculpted body signaling a departure from the brand's luscious yet familiar design language. But this time, the car in question is more than just a pretty face. Beneath the gently arced bonnet is the first turbocharged engine in the Aston's 103 year-old history. Gone is the so-called Vertical Horizontal architecture, replaced with a bonded aluminum chassis that's so new that it has yet to be graced with a catchy marketing name. Sumptuous interior? Check. Slick multimedia system? Finally. The quickest, fastest, and most powerful DB to date? Hell yes. With radical changes coming in hot from Gaydon, the DB11 isn't just an all-new car; it's nothing short of golden opportunity to reinvent the brand. There's so much new stuff in this DB9 replacement that the double integer leap in nomenclature seems justified (the DB10 was already taken by a certain spy from Blighty). In the grand scope of the Aston Martin lineup, the DB11 inherits the DB9's role as the archetypal grand touring car—elegant but quick, thirsty for miles. But as our wheel time revealed, it takes some time to comprehend the depth of the DB11 story. When you settle into the $211,995 Aston Martin DB11 there's a lot to take in, especially since our tester is a "verification prototype" that's two stages away from final production. Hence, the data logging equipment and big red fire suppression button. The engine has shrunk from 6.0-liters to 5.2, but now churns out 600 horsepower and a whopping 516 lb-ft of torque at only 1,500 rpm thanks to those turbos. Aston claims 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph. The rear double wishbone suspension has been replaced with a multilink setup for greater compliance, and the DB11 also gets Aston's first-ever torque vectoring (via brakes) and electronic power steering system. The prototype car is a visual paradox, with its camouflaged exterior contrasting with the delightfully gaudy baby blue leather interior (made from extra trimmings of hide). In terms of development, the car is about "85 percent there" according to Aston brass. Disclaimer: this car's traction control system is only about 70 percent complete, and the torque-vectoring feature isn't active on this particular car. The big V12 fires up with a full-sounding rush of exhaust, though the tone isn't quite as naughty or shrill as the old naturally aspirated mill.

Aston Martin unveils aero kit and Heritage Racing Editions for Vantage

Each year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, enthusiasts are met with an artistic white sculpture that represents a unique part of automotive history. For 2019, the Central Feature, as it's called, highlights Aston Martin with a DBR1 frozen high in the sky.  Celebrating 60 years since Aston went 1-2 at Le Mans and 70 years since the company first raced at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, Aston Martin also unveiled an aero kit and the Heritage Racing Editions for the Vantage coupe. Crafted by Aston's bespoke division "Q", only 60 examples of the Vantage Heritage Racing Editions will be made, each acting as an homage to a historic racecar from the company's past. The green and silver Vantage, named "Razor Blade," has been color-matched to a racer that set records in the 1500-cc light car class at Brooklands in 1923. The red example with Aston Martin lettering, "The Italian Progettista", is a call to the Ulster, which Aston calls its most iconic pre-war racecar. It finished third overall at the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished fourth in the RAC Tourist Trophy Race. The "David Brown Era" Vantage seen in yellow and green is inspired by the DB3S from the '50s. The red, white, and blue Vantage, dubbed "The Group C Monster", celebrates the AMR1 racer. At the time of development in 1989, the AMR1's use of a kevlar and carbon fiber monocoque was cutting-edge. The "Le Mans Winner" Vantage wears the Gulf livery and nods to the endurance racing series that Aston Martin has participated in since 1928. Lastly, the Lime Essence and Stirling Green Vantage is a hat tip to the current Vantage GTE racecar that competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The special-edition models also debut a new aero kit that will be available on all Vantages. Thanks to a carbon fiber rear wing, dive planes, an extended front splitter, the kit produces an additional 428 pounds of downforce at 190 mph. Each car has lightweight wheels, the Sports Plus Pack, and interior carbon fiber features for additional weight loss. Aston Martin has yet to announce pricing or availability, but all six special-edition cars can be seen next to the Central Feature throughout the Goodwood events.

Aston Martin names new regional chief for the Americas

Aston Martin has named a new president for the Americas region. Starting October 26, the role will fall to Laura Schwab, who joins Aston from rival Jaguar Land Rover. The Louisville, KY native is a graduate of the law school at the University of Kentucky. She worked in the technology sector in Southern California before embarking on a career in the automotive industry, working for JLR in a variety of marketing and communications posts. She has served for the past year and a half as JLR's marketing director, having previously worked in Land Rover's North American office in a variety of capacities. In her new job, Schwab will be responsible for all of Aston Martin's activities in the Americas, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America. She'll be working out of the company's regional headquarters in Irvine, CA, reporting to directly global sales director Christian Marti. Pictured above is the DB10 created for the latest James Bond movie, on display in Monterey this summer. "Laura is an excellent addition to the Aston Martin team. Throughout her career in the automotive business, Laura has demonstrated an ability to implement marketing and retail programs to drive growth," said Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer in the statement below. "As we embark upon delivery of our six-year 'Second Century Plan' the Americas region offers a considerable opportunity and I look forward to Laura applying her skills to help us grow awareness of the Aston Martin brand in this region." Related Video: ASTON MARTIN APPOINTS LAURA SCHWAB AS NEW AMERICAS REGIONAL PRESIDENT 2 October 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Schwab as President for Aston Martin The Americas, reporting to Global Sales Director Christian Marti, effective 26 October. Laura joins Aston Martin from Jaguar Land Rover where she worked most recently as Marketing Director, leading marketing communications, experiential events, sponsorships, product marketing, customer engagement and corporate social responsibility. Based at the company's regional headquarters in Irvine, California, Laura's role as Regional President embraces sales and service, public relations, brand marketing and communications to both Aston Martin's customers and 46 dealers in the region, spanning the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America.