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Aston Martin rules out going downmarket

When Aston Martin sat alongside Jaguar under the Ford umbrella, the two had to be careful not to step on each other's toes. That kept the top end of Jaguar's sports and GT lineup at bay, and in the years since they parted company, Jaguar has steadily moved up-market with new versions of the XK and now with the new F-Type. But does that mean Aston Martin will in turn start offering cheaper models? "No, not at this stage," Aston's US chief Julian Jenkins told AutoGuide.com. "If there is an opportunity that we can sit comfortably within we will go after it." But for the time being, the V8 Vantage will remain the brand's entry-level model, coming in just under the $100K mark in base Vantage GT trim. Enthusiasts will remember the Cygnet, a version of the Toyota/Scion iQ which Aston reskinned and sold to customers looking for a more compact, economical mode of transportation without skimping on luxury. But that model never made it to North America, and lasted only a few years before being discontinued in 2013. More recently, Aston branched into the four-door market, first with the Rapide and now with the Lagonda Taraf. The Lagonda Taraf is a four-door luxury sedan initially launched in the Persian Gulf, but under consideration for additional markets. The company has been on and off the fence regarding launching a crossover SUV like the Lagonda concept it showcased at the 2009 Geneva auto show to lukewarm reception. If Aston were to proceed with such plans, it would be up against the likes of the upcoming Jaguar F-Pace, Bentley Bentayga and Maserati Levante.

2021 Aston Martin DB11 Shadow Edition gives the V8 model some exclusivity

The entry-level 2021 Aston Martin DB11 with its Mercedes V8 is a very good sports car, and in some ways arguably better than the V12 versions, but it does lack some of the specialness of those with the most cylinders. Seemingly on cue, Aston Martin is bringing out a limited production DB11 Shadow Edition that's only available with the V8 engine. What sets it apart from other DB11s is that it gets lots of black trim. The exterior features darkened head- and taillights, gloss black wheels and hood "blades," and black chrome badging. The interior is finished in black leather and Alcantara with black anodized sill plates. The upholstery stitching is also matched to the brake calipers and can be had in gray, red or yellow. The Shadow Edition is available in coupe and convertible forms, but only with six color choices. For this lightly customized DB11, buyers will fork over $222,600, which is more than $20,000 more than a base V8 model. That's a lot of money for black trim, but customers are also getting exclusivity. Only 300 of these Shadow Editions will be sold globally. If you have the means and the desire for a limited production DB11, Aston is taking orders now. Related Video:    

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