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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.

Aston Martin's Vanquish S Red Arrow aerobatics special edition is a stunning tribute

Aston Martin's in-house custom car division, Q, has just revealed its latest model, the Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition. The Vanquish is themed around the Red Arrows, a British aerobatics team like the American Blue Angels. The connection to the team starts from the outside, with a bright, gloss red paint job with white and blue accents on the carbon fiber trim to replicate the look of the Red Arrows' planes. The badges have red, white, and blue enamel to evoke the Union Jack flag, and a white stripe along the side is meant to look like the smoke trails left by the planes. Inside, the interior is finished in black leather with khaki green leather inserts and matching seatbelts. According to Aston Martin, this color scheme echoes the flight suits worn by the Red Arrows team. The flight team's logo, which shows their diamond-shaped flight formation, is embroidered into the seat backs. The door panels also receive custom embroidery, which shows the "Vixen Break" maneuver. This particular Vanquish S loses its rear seats to make space for a pair of racing helmets that come with the car. The helmets are painted in Red Arrows colors. In addition to the helmets, Aston Martin will include scale models of the car and a Red Arrows plane, a racing suit, embroidered bomber jacket, and a custom luggage set. In keeping with the Red Arrows theme, only nine of these cars will be sold, one for each member of the aerobatics team. Each car will also be signed by the corresponding Red Arrows pilot. Aston will build a tenth car that will be donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund, which helps support veterans and their families. Related Video:

Ford's J Mays feels vindicated by Fusion reception

It's hard to think back now, but the same man overseeing the design of the 2013 Ford Fusion also presided over a rather lackluster period in Ford design, highlighted by vehicles like the Five Hundred and Freestyle. With the redesigned Fusion receiving high praise, J Mays tells Automotive News that he feels vindicated from criticisms suggesting he's not a daring enough designer.
When Mays took over as lead of design in 1997, he admits to having quite an ego ("My head would barely fit through the door some days. I've long since gotten over myself") and the workload to match. With the Blue Oval's portfolio full of premium brands like Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo at that point, along with the bread-and-butter Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, Mays certainly had quite the challenge.
It was in the mid-2000s that Mays took over just the premium brands, and took on the new title of Chief Creative Officer. At the time, Mays endured some criticism for looking backwards to retro styling, rather than setting a new standard for American car design - criticism that Mays says he is free from with the all-new Fusion.