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Aston Martin Rapide AMR a limited-edition last hurrah before the DBX

The Aston Martin Advanced Operations department would like you to meet the Rapide AMR. The second Aston Martin product to highlight race-to-road synergies after the DB11 AMR, the production version follows the concept shown at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Unless the auto market suddenly veers back to sedans, the "hardcore" Rapide AMR will be one of the carmaker's last big swings at the four-door fastback until the Rapide retires in 2020 to make way for the DBX crossover. Its tech updates were tested and proved at the Nurburgring earlier this year, resulting in final specs that have changed slightly from the concept. While the UK and European Union get a version of the 6.0-liter V12 that makes 595 horsepower, the U.S. and the rest of the world must make do with 580 hp, a 28-hp increase over the Rapide S. Torque holds steady worldwide at 465 pound-feet, same as in the Rapide S. Aston Martin quotes a 0-60 mile-per-hour time of 4.2 seconds, also matching the S version, but a top speed of 205 mph, two mph beyond the standard sibling. The two Rapides could never be confused because of the AMR's vented carbon fiber hood, front splitter, sills, decklid, decklid spoiler, and rear diffuser wrapped around a new quad exhaust. Black mesh fills the grille, Zagato-like running lights rest at the front corners. The sedan sits 10 millimeters lower, but on forged 21-inch wheels — the largest ever fitted to an Aston Martin — with spokes designed to aid in brake cooling. The carbon ceramic brakes are a first for the Rapide, six-piston calipers doing the work up front, four pistons in the rear. Indecisive buyers can start with one of three exterior design themes: Standard, Silhouette, or Signature. The first two start with either Mariana Blue, Scintilla Silver, Lightning Silver or Onyx Black, but Standard puts AMR Lime accents on the splitter, sills, and rear diffuser. Silhouette swaps the Lime dainties for a full-length stripe in China Grey or Clubsport White. Signature goes full race, with Stirling Green the primary color and a Lime strip and Lime accents hinting at Aston Martin Racing liveries. Inside, Alcantara with embroidered AMR logos and welting in Lime or Galena Silver seats flank a full-length carbon fiber center tunnel. Before adding options like carbon fiber door handles or a One-77 steering wheel, the price of entry is $240,000, a $34,000 premium over the Rapide S. The first of just 210 cars will be delivered in the later part of the year.

Aston Martin plots more specific models for China, Middle East

Aston Martin is a thoroughly British automaker. Given its independence from any foreign automaker and its production that takes place entirely in the UK – particularly since Rapide assembly was moved back to Gaydon and the Toyota-based iQ was discontinued – you might argue that it's the most British automaker of them all. But like any other, it thrives on exports, and that only stands to increase with its latest announcement. With support from the British government, Aston Martin has revealed that it plans to develop new models specifically for export outside of the UK and continental Europe – especially for developing but wealthy markets in China and the Middle East. It wouldn't be the first time Aston would launch a new model targeted at a specific market, after all. When the company relaunched the Lagonda marque with the new Taraf luxury sedan late last year, it initially planned to make it available only in the Middle East. And by Middle East, we don't mean war-torn Yemen or Syria – we mean the oil-rich emirates of the Persian Gulf, like Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Popular demand later prompted Aston to switch tracks, however, expanding availability to Europe and other markets. At this point, Aston isn't saying just what it has in mind for these lucrative markets, but the possibilities seem limited only by what local buyers would be interested in ponying up for. We could easily see the company offering a long-wheelbase Taraf limousine for China, a partial convertible sedan (like the Maybach Landaulet) for the Emirates or that long-rumored crossover that would be sure to attract buyers from both markets. ASTON MARTIN SET TO EXPAND MODEL RANGE FOR EXPORT MARKETS UK Government confirms support for new projects 29 March 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin today confirmed it will widen its product offering for markets outside of Europe. Based on a conditional offer of an exceptional regional growth fund from the UK Government, Aston Martin will commence work this year on new models intended to broaden its customer reach in export markets such as China and the Middle East. The UK Government has committed support of up to the value of GBP6.9 million, conditional on investments in new products from Aston Martin. Commenting on this news, Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer said: "Expanding our product range to enable a greater reach into export markets is an essential part of our Second Century business plan.

Aston Martin plans to keep the internal combustion engine alive beyond 2030

As it stands, Aston Martin will be banned from selling gasoline-burning cars in its home country in 2030. California lawmakers want to push internal combustion technology off the scene by 2035, but Aston Martin's chief executive doesn't think that pistons, valves, and fuel injectors will completely disappear even as bans come into effect. "By 2030, 5% of business will still always be ICE. I never see it going down to zero," predicted Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin's chairman, during the Financial Times Future of the Car summit. He added that there is "always going to be enthusiasts" who will request a powerful gasoline-fueled engine, and who will be able to pay for it. If it's not delayed, loosened, or reversed, the United Kingdom's blanket ban on internal combustion engines will mean that any new gasoline-powered Aston Martin sold within the nation's borders will not be street-legal starting in 2030. Owners will presumably be allowed to drive them on private property, like race tracks, and companies like Porsche are ramping up their efforts to present synthetic fuels as a viable alternative to premium unleaded. Across the pond, no such ban has been announced by our federal government -- at least not yet. 2021 Aston Martin DBX View 40 Photos Aston Martin plans to keep investing in gasoline-powered engines in the coming years; if the technology is getting regulated into extinction, it's going out with a bang. Stroll announced that some of the company's future models will continue using engines built by Mercedes-AMG, but they'll be tuned in-house. "Our current AMG engines are just that: AMG engines in an Aston. With this new deal, we will have bespoke AMG engines for Aston with different outputs, torque characteristics, etc. They'll still be AMG components, but they'll be bespoke-manufactured in Germany," he announced. As it stands, the only engine the carmaker gets from its German investor and partner is a twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8, which powers a wide range of models. Its portfolio also includes a V12 it designed in-house, and a new 3.0-liter V6 is under development. Engines aren't the only bits with a "made in Germany" tag that future Aston Martin models will receive, however. Stroll confirmed that AMG's upcoming plug-in hybrid technology will permeate the British firm's range, and he revealed that the first electric Aston Martin will use drivetrain components (like motors and batteries) from AMG.