2009 Aston Martin Vantage on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Of course the Aston Martin AM37 speedboat is fast and beautiful

We told you last week about the new Porsche-designed 115-foot yacht. On a slightly smaller scale in terms of LOA — but on at least the same scale of opulence — is the Aston Martin AM37 speedboat that debuted this week at the Monaco Boat Show. The 37-footer (hence the name) has been in R&D for two years. Designed by Aston Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman working with with naval architect Mulder Design and Dutch shipbuilder Quitessence Yachts, it promises bespoke design with state-of-the-art marine technology. It's designed to carry six passengers and two crew members, and each interior is custom outfitted. Reichman used the same "golden ratio" employed in all kinds of art and architecture — and in the design of Aston Martin cars. A single piece of curved glass wraps around the cockpit, and the decks are natural teak. The boat on display in Monaco was outfitted with cream-colored leather. The electrically controlled cockpit cover can be deployed from the lucky owner's Apple Watch. Forbes magazine has more photos of that particular boat, and reports that Aston plans to build just 10 of these per year. The AM37 costs $1.6 million. So maybe you can get one to serve as a tender to your $16.7 million Porsche yacht. Related Video:

Aston Martin creates custom Vanquish series in smooth carbon

In a demonstration of just how extensively it can cater its vehicles to the customer's specific tastes, Aston Martin has done up a special series of Vanquishes at the request of an individual customer. Carried out through the Q by Aston Martin customization service, the Vanquish "One of Seven" edition is distinguished by its unique carbon-fiber bodywork. The order required Aston to develop a new manufacturing process to weave the fibers in multiple layers for a perfectly smooth finish. The resulting exposed carbon bodywork is complimented by satin black trim, custom diamond-quilted seats, and machined carbon logos, for a complete Darth Vader, murdered-out look. As the name suggests, only seven examples will be made, with the first delivered to one Markus Storck, head of high-end bicycle manufacturer Storck Bikes. The remaining examples will be delivered to "six fellow sports car aficionados." Related Video: Q BY ASTON MARTIN CREATES A UNIQUE VANQUISH COLLECTION - Seven bespoke sports cars commissioned by collector - Carbon fibre-themed personalisation pushes manufacturing boundaries - Painstaking process to design, engineer and build the luxury models 1 June, 2015, Gaydon: The Q by Aston Martin bespoke personalisation service is celebrating the fulfilment of a longstanding ambition for sports car enthusiast and businessman Markus Storck. Dr Matthew Bennett, General Manager of VIP sales and Q by Aston Martin personalisation service, delivered the first of seven uniquely built Vanquish Coupes to the German collector at an event held at the luxury marque's headquarters in Gaydon. Mr Storck, founder and head of German hi-tech bicycle manufacturer Storck Bikes, commissioned the Q by Aston Martin team to develop the special 'One of Seven' Vanquish sports cars for himself, and six fellow sports car aficionados. Boasting a broad array of bespoke features including an exclusive exterior finish that sees multiple layers of carbon fibre cleverly interwoven to a perfectly smooth finish – a result that required Aston Martin to develop an entirely new addition to its manufacturing process – the seven Vanquish are sure to become collectors' items in years to come. Matthew Bennett said: "The process of creating these sports cars has been typical of what Q by Aston Martin can deliver.

Aston Martin Valkyrie gets insane 1,100-horsepower AMR Pro model

We still have yet to see the final production version of the road-going Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, but that hasn't stopped Aston from creating an even more extreme version of the already radical car. It's called the Valkyrie AMR Pro, and it's lighter, more powerful, has more downforce, and is only for use on the track. Powering the Valkyrie AMR Pro is a version of the standard car's naturally aspirated hybrid V12. In this guise, Aston says it produces 1,100 horsepower, more than the standard car. That engine won't have much to carry around, either, since Aston is aiming to have the Valkyrie AMR Pro weight just about 1,000 kilograms, or about 2,200 pounds. To hit that weight, Aston is using lighter carbon fiber for the body, carbon fiber control arms, a lighter exhaust, polycarbonate windows, molded seats, and it has removed the HVAC fan and infotainment system. Fortunately, Aston is including heater elements in the windows so that they don't fog up in wet or cool weather. The Valkyrie AMR Pro's body shape is different, too, and it has been changed to increase downforce. It has usual changes such as large front and rear wings. It also has a tall center fin like that found on prototype and F1 race cars. The body itself is wider, too. All told, Aston expects the car to produce over 2,200 pounds of downforce. The combination of all these performance enhancements means the car can achieve a claimed top speed of 225 mph, as well as cornering forces of over 3G. Aston Martin didn't reveal pricing, but it doesn't matter. Aston already sold all 25 Valkyrie AMR Pros it will build. The company says that they'll be delivered sometime in 2020. Related Video: