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Aston Martin DBX spied looking like a finished product

The Aston Martin DBX is inching closer to its December reveal, and today we get to see the SUV in its most finished form yet. One of our spy shooters managed to catch a DBX out and about with production headlights, taillights, door handles and rear fascia. It’s great to see the DBX like this, because until now weÂ’ve only seen it in the mule-like form that Aston wanted us to see. Taking a look at the rear end is where things really start coming together. Instead of the odd, pod-like taillights, some slick and thin light fixtures extend from the ducktail spoiler into the rear fender. They look proper on the rear end of the SUV. Just a bit below these are the two exhaust outlets. ThereÂ’s still plenty of camouflage about, but the exhaust tips and molding around it appears to be production-spec. ItÂ’s interesting to see the exhaust so high up on the rear bumper in an SUV, and they also stick out a fair amount. Just watch for the flaming hot tips when loading and unloading items directly after driving it. We also gain a better understanding of what the grille is going to look like up front. Instead of the wire mesh weÂ’ve been looking at before, this maw has actual slats and a defined shape. The headlights look like production units, and there are cutouts for possible foglights down there, too. Instead of the unfinished rear door handles, Aston appears to have installed the electric pop-out units weÂ’ve been seeing in the front for awhile. There are more creases and muscular lines visible all over the vehicle that were covered up previously, too. As September quickly approaches, the DBXÂ’s reveal in December isnÂ’t that far out anymore. A few more months will pass, and then the first Aston Martin SUV will be out. There will be plenty of Mercedes-Benz part sharing, but weÂ’re still excited to see what an Aston SUV ends up like

Aston Martin's next DB gets its bodywork on

Aston Martin is said to be working on a full revamp of its entire lineup, which is all well and fine, but what we want is proof. And here it is. Spotted testing on and around the Nurburgring is a prototype for Aston's next DB grand touring coupe. The successor to the DB9 is expected to make use of a completely new platform and eventually get a new engine stemming from the British automaker's partnership with Mercedes-AMG, but is likely to employ Aston's own 6.0-liter V12 as well. We've seen spy shots of test mules running before in various states of completion, but this is the first time we're seeing it in what appears to be its production bodywork, albeit still heavily camouflaged to keep it hidden from prying eyes. Expect the final version to draw its stylistic inspiration from the DB10 that James Bond will be driving in the upcoming film Spectre (and maybe just a few from flagship supercars like the One-77 and Vulcan, too). Whether Aston ultimately decides to call this one the DB10 as well, move on to the DB11, or stick with the DB9 remains to be seen, but so far it's looking pretty good.

F1 redemption beckons for Vettel after miserable end at Ferrari

PARIS — Sebastian Vettel is feeling optimistic about his new Formula One career with Aston Martin after turning the page on a miserable last season with Ferrari. Things went from bad to awful for the four-time F1 champion in 2020. He had just one podium finish and ended 10 of 17 races outside the top 10 last season amid a tense atmosphere worsened by the fact Ferrari did not offer him a new contract. “The whole year was a challenge. IÂ’m obviously not happy with how last year went in terms of performance, in terms of my performance," he said. “There are things that didnÂ’t go well and things I would have liked to go differently. ItÂ’s not a secret that at stages I wasnÂ’t at my happiest." Last year was a huge fall from grace for Vettel, whose confidence was already shaken after he lost the 2017 and 2018 titles to Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, despite leading both championships at the halfway stage. A driver who still shares the F1 record with Michael Schumacher for most wins in a season — 13 with Red Bull in 2013 — and has 53 wins among his 121 podiums found himself outclassed by his junior teammate Charles Leclerc in 2019 and 2020. When Leclerc was given a lucrative new contract through 2024 — and Vettel wasn't even offered one —it became clear who was considered number one in the team. The frown lines grew deeper on Vettel's face as he finished the last three races of 2020 in 13th, 12th and 14th. “It hadnÂ’t been to my standards. IÂ’ve never really cared what people think or say, or write," Vettel said. “ThatÂ’s why itÂ’s important IÂ’m at peace with myself. (I have) very, very high expectations of myself.” He even considered retiring but a move to Aston Martin has rekindled the 33-year-old German driver's enthusiasm. “IÂ’m not too old, there are older drivers returning to the grid," he said, referring to 39-year-old Fernando Alonso. “I donÂ’t think itÂ’s an age thing, I think itÂ’s more a question of (whether) you have the team and the car around you.” The Aston Martin team runs on Mercedes engines and is owned by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, whose son Lance Stroll is the team's other driver. The plan is to make Aston Martin a title contender within three to five years. Vettel suggested the atmosphere at Aston Martin is less stuffy than it was at powerhouse Ferrari. The Italian manufacturer with its bright red car remains the most iconic name in F1 history.