2007 Aston Martin Vantage on 2040-cars

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The Aston Martin Vantage Red Bull Racing Edition doesn't have an F1 engine but still looks sweet

The Aston Martin Vantage could rival the Jeep Wrangler when it comes to the number of variants and special editions it has spawned. The latest version of Aston's smaller sports car is the Red Bull Racing Edition, inspired by Aston Martin's partnership with the Formula 1 team of the same name. The appearance package is fitted by Aston Martin's Q division and is available on both the V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage S models starting this spring, just after the 2017 F1 season gets underway. Aside from the cylinder count, a customer's only option is deciding which one of three colors (gloss or matte Mariana Blue or gloss Tungsten Silver) with either red or yellow lipstick, brake calipers, and side strake accents. In addition, the unpainted portions of the grille, splitter, diffuser, and side strakes are all bare carbon fiber. Inside, the black seats come with contrasting red stitching and the Red Bull Racing logo embroidered on the headrests. The door sill and inspection plaques can be signed by either Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo or Max Verstappen. Tough choice. While there are no mechanical upgrades like a hybrid turbocharged V6 or a movable rear wing to really tie the car in with its F1 counterpart, it is one of the better special editions available. The car will be powered by either a 430-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 or a 565-horsepower 5.9-liter V12. Aston hasn't announced pricing or US availability, but based on the popularity of Formula 1 in the States, don't expect to see too many of these on the road. Related Video: Featured Gallery Aston Martin V8 and V12 Vantage S Red Bull Racing View 21 Photos News Source: Aston Martin Design/Style Marketing/Advertising Aston Martin Coupe Racing Vehicles Performance Red Bull Racing aston martin v8 vantage aston martin v12 vantage aston martin vantage aston martin v12 vantage s

Episode 2 of The Grand Tour will feature knives, explosions, guns, and also cars

Following an immensely successful debut, The Grand Tour will follow up its first episode with exciting, dangerous things. Based on the trailer above, the episode will start peacefully enough with the trio driving up to the tent in South Africa with a convoy of off-road trucks. However, it seems each segment will be much more exciting. Right at the start of the trailer, there are clips of the Aston Martin Vulcan, a 7.0-liter, 820-horsepower V12 supercar, which will likely be the car tested at the "Ebola-drome" this week. Of course the car is communist because it doesn't have a V8. Then things get steadily more dangerous through the trailer. James May is shown as a somewhat unwilling participant at some sort of drifting exhibition. He apparently doesn't like tire smoke in the evenings. We also see that the trio went to Jordan for another segment. This is when we get a glimpse of Richard Hammond playing with large knives. Immediately following are clips of some sort of car chase challenge with large SUVs and luxury sedans, during which James May shoots an assault rifle out the back of an Audi S8. The shooting results in big explosions. It's worth a look yourself, to get in the mood for the next episode which hits Amazon on Friday. Related Video:

What does Aston Martin have planned for the name Aeroblade?

Aston Martin is working on something called Aeroblade, and the company recently filed a trademark application for the name. According to AutoGuide, the paperwork suggests the name could be used for a component, not for a model designation. The word indicates some kind of aerodynamic element, potentially in the form of an adaptive wing like those seen on the McLaren 650S, Bugatti Veyron, and so many Porsches over the years. Deployable spoilers allow a sports car to keep the airflow clean and undisturbed in some conditions and generate extra downforce under others. The use of the Aeroblade name for a component makes more sense than an actual model name. Aston typically starts its nameplates either with the letter V (as in Vanquish or the Vulcan pictured above) or DB (as in the current DB9 or forthcoming DB11). It has been known to make exceptions – like in the case of the Rapide four-door coupe or Cygnet city car – so we could be in for a surprise. The British manufacturer of luxury vehicles is working on a new generation of models to replace its current lineup. That includes a new platform to replace the aging VH architecture and a new engine under development with Mercedes-AMG. It's also working on bringing its first crossover to production, as previewed by the DBX concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Related Video: