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Aston Martin working on a limited-edition DBR1-inspired speedster?

The Supercar Blog has heard from its supercar-privy sources that Aston Martin might be working on a new speedster. The putative roofless model could be inspired by the most important and most valuable racer in Aston Martin's history, the DBR1 that took overall honors at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. Thought to be limited to just 88 units, TSB said the carmaker might have held a VIP preview event during Monterey Car Week last month. If the English luxury maker is developing such a model, we can probably declare the speedster era officially open for business after the limited-edition Ferrari SP1 and SP2 Monzas, Porsche 911 Speedster, and the Ultimate Series speedster that McLaren recently admitted is on the way. As with the Aston Martin, all of the other high-bucks open-sky models take inspiration from racers of yesteryear.  Furthermore, if Aston Martin really has such plans, the carmaker would be re-opening a six-year-old chapter in company history. In 2013, Aston Martin unveiled the CC100 Speedster (pictured) at the 2013 Nurburgring 24-Hour race, created in just six months to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford deciding to build vehicles together. The CC100 was built on the VH platform utilized by the brand's production cars, and used a 6.0-liter V12 with 565 horsepower to do 0-60 mph in four seconds and reach a top speed of 180 mph. The carmaker built two of them, sold to collectors very close to the brand. Today's DBS Superleggera platform and its 5.2-liter, 715-hp V12 could make a suitable base, and who knows, Aston Martin — unlike Ferrari or McLaren — could go all the way and swap the DBS' eight-speed automatic for a manual transmission. Another site said the speedster impetus comes from "the high interest demonstrated by multiple collectors." No one has any insight on the symbolism of 88 units, though. Aston Martin did release a series of Dragon 88 models in 2012 for the Asian market, named for the auspicious omens associated with the number 8 in Chinese culture, and the Interush International team entered a #88 Vantage GT3 race car in the 2015 GT Asia Series, but that seems a gossamer thin connection. The Aston Martin One-77, after all, had a lot of sevens in its spec sheet, but was half named for its production volume. If there is a vintage-themed speedster on the way, we'll know more when Aston Martin decides to admit it.

Aston Martin DBX spy photos show what may be a V12 model

The Aston Martin DBX has only been out for a little over a year, but it seems Aston has a variant in development. One of our spy photographers caught this prototype testing at the Nurburgring, and it has a notably different nose. It makes us think that it may have a new engine, specifically a big V12. Most of the prototype looks just like any other DBX, but the front end has a number of changes. The main grille looks significantly larger and more open. It doesn't appear to be a finalized grille shape, since it's a bit crude, but it suggests that they needed more airflow for whatever engine is being used. We can also make out slightly more finished design changes at the front, such as the wide air inlet that wraps around the bottom of the main grille. With the more aggressive front end that clearly allows more air into the engine bay, we suspect there's a big, hot engine powering this prototype. The biggest, hottest engine Aston has is its twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12, which can make at between 630 and 715 horsepower depending on specification. We also know that the V12 does fit in the DBX thanks to Aston's previous CEO. So it seems pretty likely this is a V12 DBX, but when will we see it? It's a variation on an existing model, but it has some crude bodywork, so we're thinking it could be at least a year before we see the production model. Related Video:

F1 to offer track rides with Alonso, Verstappen, Hakkinen

It's not often that a Formula 1 fan gets to experience what an F1 track feels like from the point of view of a racing driver. An in-car camera just goes so far, and tracks are not always open for the public, or even for track days. Now, a special Hot Laps program announced by Formula 1 and Pirelli means some lucky participants are able to take part in ridealongs on the same F1 tracks where all the racing action happens. The first two manufacturers that have announced their participation are Aston Martin and McLaren, and as a result the Vantage and 720S will be used in the program. More car manufacturers have reportedly signed up, and they will be named in the near future. The first Hot Laps will be driven at the 2018 Bahrain GP. The best is still to come. The professional racing drivers that have enlisted for the Hot Laps program are Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen for Aston Martin, and the McLarens will be driven by Mika Hakkinen, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne. Imagine being taken for a ride by such wheelmen! Just doing a grocery run with Alonso behind the wheel would probably be exciting enough, let alone getting a track experience. Of course, the one thing that hasn't yet been mentioned is the price. We can't imagine a lap can be very modestly priced in this case, but it will sure be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Unless you can afford two laps, that is. Related Video: Motorsports Aston Martin McLaren Luxury Performance Pirelli Max Verstappen lando norris