2006 Aston Martin Vantage on 2040-cars

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Geely in talks to take a stake in Aston Martin

China’s Geely Automobile Holding held talks with Aston Martin management and investors as it considers investing into the British luxury carmaker, the Financial Times reported on Friday. Geely is conducting due diligence as it looks at taking a stake in the 107-year-old UK firm, which warned earlier this week its 2019 profits would by cut nearly in half due to weak European markets. Another report out today said that Aston had canceled its RapidE electric car because of its financial situation. Geely owns controlling stake in another British car company, Lotus, and also the London EV Company, which makes London cabs. It also owns Volvo and a nearly 10% stake in Daimler. Aston Martin was not immediately available for comment. Geely did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  Related Video:     Earnings/Financials Green Aston Martin Geely

Aston Martin DB9 GT breaks cover

Based on recent spy shots, it appears that the Aston Martin DB9 might be nearing retirement. Thankfully, the British sportscar brand isn't letting the high-performance grand tourer wither on the vine until a replacement arrives. Instead, the company is launching the most powerful version of the model yet with the introduction of the DB9 GT at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. With its tuned 6.0-liter V12 getting an extra 30 ponies to push output to 540 horsepower, the DB9 GT certainly doesn't lack for power, and that muscle routes through the brand's six-speed Touchtronic II gearbox. The potent powertrain can launch the luxurious model to 60 miles per hour in a claimed 4.4 seconds and to a reported top speed of 183 mph. The latest model offers more than just a performance upgrade, though. On the outside, the DB9 now wears a black front splitter and rear diffuser. It also rides on new 10-spoke, 20-inch wheels, and you can spot black-anodized brake calipers just behind them. For a further flourish, GT is engraved on the aluminum fuel cap, and if all of that isn't enough, buyers can spec a plethora of optional, carbon-fiber trim. Inside, the GT's big upgrade is a switch to Aston Martin's latest AMi II infotainment system. It features a revised menu structure that the company claims makes working the tech more user-friendly. This DB9 delivers on luxury too with fluted-leather seats and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel. The DB9 GT is available for order now, and the price for the additional power and luxury in the US starts at $199,950. It's not the only Aston Martin receiving some attention, though, because the 2016 model year examples of both the V8 Vantage and Rapide S also get the AMi II system. They benefit from new color and upholstery options, as well. Aston Martin reveals DB9 GT – the ultimate in bespoke grand touring New GT model showcases the very best of DB9 Most powerful DB9 to date with 540 bhp from 6.0-litre V12 engine Colour, trim and equipment additions for Vantage and Rapide S models 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.

London man keys $150k Aston Martin while pushing stroller

Police are looking for a man who was caught on a dashboard camera keying a supercar last month while out for a stroll with a child in east London. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was sitting in a parking spot in the London borough of Hackney. It was minding its own business – with its dashboard camera running – when it caught the eye of man passing by. Not unusual for a sleek sports car, but what happened next was unexpected. Instead of admiring its British design from afar he angled the pram off the curb and walked toward the car. Footage shows he then took an object out of his pocket and dragged it along the side of the Vantage's aluminum body panel. The owner of the Vantage told the BBC the damage cost over $14,000 to fix. In terms of cars to destroy, this vandal has excellent taste. The Vantage is small, light, and agile. The most affordable version, the V8 Vantage GT, comes with a full leather and Alcantara cabin, with thick contrasting stitching, combined with real carbon fiber and wood finished in piano black. It can sprint from zero to 60 mph in about 4.6 seconds. News Source: BBC Auto News Weird Car News Aston Martin Videos viral video vantage scratch