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James Bond's ‘GoldenEye’ Aston Martin DB5 sells for $2.6 million

Last month, we wrote about the "GoldenEye" Aston Martin DB5 coming up for auction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and reported that it was estimated to bring in $1.6 million to $2.14 million. The Aston did a lot better, as it ended up selling for a comfortable $2.6 million. The cinematic Aston's buyer turned out to be the newly founded NYC spy museum Spyscape, which is already displaying the DB5 deal on its website. As a matter of fact, Spyscape will even be offering rides in the DB5 — not a lot of people have ridden in any DB5, let alone one that has been driven by James Bond. As Hemmings notes, the DB5 in question was found for filming by Aston Martin itself along with a couple other examples. After filming wrapped up, it was restored — reportedly to address damage accumulated during the shoot — and put on a promotional tour. Stirling Moss himself drove the car onstage at the Los Angeles Auto Show, when the spiritual successor for the DB5, the DB7, was presented. It's worth noting that the car sold in 2001 for $200,000, and that it was the most expensive piece of Bond-related stuff sold at the time. Last weekend's auction price puts a zero at the end of that price, and then some. Meanwhile, if you can't afford a $2.6 million James Bond car, how about the just-out Lego kit costing $149.99? Related Video: TV/Movies Aston Martin Auctions Luxury Classics aston martin db5 db5

Aston Martin shows its other half with new Lagonda Taraf sedan

It's been a long time since we've seen a new Lagonda, but here it is: the Taraf. Introduced a few months ago in Dubai, the new Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf has since been confirmed for wider availability outside of the Middle East – including Europe, though sadly not North America – and is making its major show debut here in Geneva. The Lagonda Taraf is based on familiar technology – built on Aston Martin's familiar VH platform and powered by the company's ubiquitous 6.0-liter V12 engine – but stretches longer than the more compact Rapide and with completely different styling than we've grown accustomed to seeing on modern Astons. Only 200 examples will be made, priced at what is sure to be a substantial premium befitting its scarcity and the revival of a long-dormant nameplate. All of which means that this represents a rare opportunity to see the new Lagonda up close... at least until Aston cooks up the next model to wear the badge. Related Video:

Aston Martin Valhalla interior debuted in Monterey

Aston Martin began releasing estimated specs for the Valhalla supercar last summer. The figures described the thoroughly overhauled car, redrawn with just as dramatic yet smoother lines than the original concept from 2019, and repowered with a plug-in hybrid V8 sourced from technical partner Mercedes-Benz instead of the in-house straight-6. The quick summary describes a mid-mounted 740-horsepower flat-plane-crank V8 with an e-motor in back and another in front contributing 201 horsepower. The front electric motor can pull the coupe for up to eight miles of pure electric running, reversing is also done under electric power, not via the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Curb weight of 3,417 pounds pairs with a top speed of 217 miles per hour, the firm hoping its charge can lap the 'Ring in 6:30, which would be a record for a production car. Deliveries are expected to commence toward the end of next year. Around the driver. With the driver. For the driver. Valhalla is MASTERY. DRIVEN. #AstonMartin #Valhalla #MASTERYDRIVEN — Aston Martin (@astonmartin) August 26, 2022 We still hadn't seen the inside of the car last summer, though. Aston Martin finally lifted the dihedral doors on the show inside during the recent Monterey Car Week. Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman described the cockpit as being "pure," "about driver focus" and "concentration," and "dedicated to the mastery of driving." So despite an exterior update that injected "a more mature" road-going road ambience into the Valhalla's silhouette, the cabin makes strong ties to the F1-inspired and track-consuming Valkyrie. These are seats that emphasize the "bucket" in "bucket seats," supporting driver and passenger such that their heels lie above the level of their hips. The driver grabs a square wheel that's jettisoned the central display in the Valkyrie's square wheel. In fact, for those decrying the explosion of screens lately, here is your safe space. A slim rectangle ahead of the driver serves as dash display, and the infotainment screen can be hidden away, which it is in the short Twitter vid. We can see it staying stowed more often than not, in fact. Even if the V8 doesn't pour its 7,200-rpm flat-plane note into the cabin — along with roof scoop inhalations and rubber-band-thin Michelin thrumming — the passenger quarters cannot be the kindest space to design a stereo for.