2001 Aston Martin Db7 Vantage Volante Convertible 2-door 6.0l on 2040-cars

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Editors' Picks April 2021 | Honda Accord, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and more

The month of April saw us award Editors' Picks status to a couple mega-luxury vehicles and a couple long-time standbys that recently went through mid-cycle refreshes. We drove plenty of other cars that didn't quite reach the bar for Editors' Picks status — BMW 4 Series, Infiniti QX55 and the Mitsubishi Outlander among others — but the four you'll see below stood out as the best this month. In case you missed our previous couple Editors' Picks posts, hereÂ’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get EditorsÂ’ Pick status. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in April that earned the honor of being an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2021 Aston Martin DBX 2021 Aston Martin DBX View 16 Photos Quick take: With attractive styling and a gorgeous yet functional interior, the V8-powered DBX is a legitimate crossover worthy of the Aston badge. Score: 8 What it competes with: Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 Pros: Mega style, fantastic driving dynamics, a true and faithful Aston Martin Cons: Very expensive, only average infotainment From the editors: Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore — “The DBX captures the spirit of Aston Martin in a modern crossover. That's not an easy thing to do. I expected the DBX might look the part, but lack functionality. Or it would be a decent crossover, but fall short of my idea of an Aston. The DBX did neither. It exceeded my expectations and is an entertaining vehicle to drive. The styling is interesting and evocative, and the AMG-sourced powertrain delivers proper performance. I also loaded it up with groceries and a carseat fits pretty well. Mission accomplished for Aston." In-depth analysis: 2021 Aston Martin DBX First Drive Review | A crossover that makes you forget itÂ’s a crossover   2021 Bentley Flying Spur 2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 View 20 Photos Quick take: There are technically competitors to the Flying Spur, but nothing matches it stride-for-stride in every category. ItÂ’s the Bentley flagship product now, and it flies the brandÂ’s flag with both gusto and excellence. You can't go wrong whether you spec the W12 or V8 either.

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 Valkyrie could beat that new Nurburgring record, Red Bull F1 boss says

During last weekend's Austrian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Race Fans asked Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner about the Aston Martin Valkyrie. The question was whether the coming hypercar, a collaboration between Red Bull and title sponsor Aston Martin, could beat the stunning lap record around the Nurburgring just set by the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo. Horner's answer: "I'm not sure a Formula 1 car could actually do it, but I think that the Valkyrie — certainly the track version of the Valkyrie — could be a contender." That's a qualified endorsement, but it still counts as support merely putting the Valkyrie AMR Pro in the conversation. Let's compare, shall we? The 919 Hybrid Evo is based on the 2017 World Endurance Championship-winning 919 Hybrid. Freed from motorsport regulations, Porsche Motorsport upgraded numerous performance bits. The 2.0-liter, turbocharged V-four-cylinder went from 500 hp to 720 hp. The two KERS units went from 400 hp to 440 hp. We don't have a figure for downforce, but items like active aero, a larger front diffuser, optimized turning vanes, and larger rear wing increased downforce by 53 percent over the WEC car, at the same time being 66 percent more aero efficient. It weighs 849 kg dry, or 1,868 pounds because Porsche threw out everything that didn't contribute to speed. The Valkyrie specs we know of so far state a weight of 1,000 kilograms, or 2,200 pounds. Powering that is a custom, naturally aspirated, 6.5-liter AMR Cosworth V12 with more than 900 horsepower, augmented by a kinetic energy recovery system contributing around 230 hp. According to Autocar's sources, the Valkyrie could generate up to 4,000 pounds of downforce at an aerodynamically-limited 225 miles per hour. That boggling number comes courtesy of Adrian Newey's prowess at making changes such as openings between the front wheel arches and the cockpit that work the front wing harder. The two-seater coupe's unrestricted top speed is 254 mph. Note, though, that the Valkyrie AMR Pro will be more powerful, lighter, and could have even more downforce. And since Aston Martin and Newey continue to work on the hypercar, specs could get even better before deliveries begin. Right now, Horner's suggestion doesn't seem all that outrageous. We'll also wait to see if the Mercedes-AMG Project One pokes its nose in the ring, too. Not long ago, AMG chief Tobias Moers said it's "reasonable to speculate" the F1-inspired hypercar could claim an absolute lap record around the 'Ring.