2007 Aston Martin Other on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Aston to show $99k V8 Vantage GT, special editions in NY [w/video]

Aston Martin has never been touted for the affordability of its cars, but with its new V8 Vantage GT, it's at least taking a stab at the concept. Priced at $99,900, the company probably feels like it's giving them away. Aston Martin says its Vantage GT is inspired by its long history in motorsports. Available as either a coupe or convertible (at extra cost), the GT packs the automaker's 4.7-liter V8 pumping out 430 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque capable of getting it to 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds and to a top speed of 190 miles per hour. Buyers can choose between either a seven-speed automated manual with magnesium paddle shifters or a traditional six-speed manual. Despite the stripped-down price, buyers aren't going to be missing many amenities in the GT. It comes standard with graphite-painted alloy wheels and black trim around the headlights side windows, exhausts and taillights. An optional graphics pack recalls Aston Martin's 24 Hours of Le Mans success with contrasting colors on the grille, mirror caps, rear diffuser and – on coupes – the A-pillar. The interior gets carbon-fiber sill plates, Alcantara door panels and sport seats from the V12 Vantage S. North American sales begin in the third quarter. The other new Aston slated for reveal at this week's New York Auto Show is the DB9 Carbon Edition, which is aimed at carbon fiber lovers. It adds loads of the stuff inside and out in a traditional mix of luxury and high performance. It begins as a standard DB9 with a 6.0-liter V12 rated at 510 hp and 457 lb-ft and a six-speed automatic transmission. The big engine cruises to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and to a top speed of 183 mph. The Carbon Edition is actually separated into two different editions. Carbon Black models come in Carbon Black II exterior paint, and Carbon White models use Stratus White. Both come with a wide variety of carbon trim, including on the side strakes and taillight trim, with a black mesh grille and window trim accentuating the look. Buyers can also add an optional carbon fiber front splitter rear diffuser and mirror caps. Prices start at $199,995 and deliveries begin in the third quarter. Scroll down to get all of the details on the new Astons, and to see a Bloomberg video with Julian Jenkins, Aston Martin's president of the Americas, talking up his company's new entry-level baby. The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Replica Aston Martin DB5 raises big money for UK charities at auction

Classic Aston Martins tend to sell infrequently and draw massive sums when they change hands. The DB5 and other James Bond-related Astons are even pricier. That made the recent Sixty Years of James Bond charity auction an exciting event to watch because Christie’s partnered with Aston Martin to move a few movie star cars. Daniel Craig used the car as James Bond in the film, No Time To Die, racing through the streets of a small town in Italy and eventually deploying machine guns. The car retained many upgrades from its time on the silver screen, including said machine guns, a dispenser for replica bombs and more. It also still wears the body damage it sustained in the film. The ChristieÂ’s auction raised GBP2,922,000 ($3,186,031 at todayÂ’s exchange rate) for several charities in the UK, including The PrinceÂ’s Trust, The Prince of WalesÂ’s Charitable Fund, and three other charities that support current and former members of the countryÂ’s Special Forces. Aston MartinÂ’s ties with the Bond franchise go back decades, and the companyÂ’s cars have featured prominently in several films.  The vehicles are typically either built from the ground up as stunt cars with tube frames and replica bodies or are heavily modified versions of genuine Aston Martins. Either way, movie cars are light years away from anything an everyday buyer can obtain. ChristieÂ’s auctioned off other Bond cars, memorabilia, and props. The list of autos included a 1981 Aston Martin V8 that starred in No Time To Die. It also had screen time with CraigÂ’s Bond behind the wheel, but the final bid landed at a much more modest GBP630,000 ($687,928). An Aston Martin DBS Superleggera 007 Edition also crossed the auction block. The car is one of just 25 examples built by Aston in conjunction with the carÂ’s appearance in No Time To Die. It raised GBP403,200 ($440,274) for the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Related video: Rinspeed | TRANSLOGIC

Aston Martin DB9 successor makes one sexy mule

It's been a dozen years since Aston Martin first introduced the DB9 to the world, and while it has undergone numerous revisions and updates over the course of its lifetime, twelve years is a long time. Fortunately the British automaker is preparing to launch a new version, and that's just what our shooters in Eiffel have spotted running around the Nurburgring. Now it's hard to tell much from these spy shots, because the prototype they depict is mostly wearing the bodywork of the existing DB9. So all the interesting stuff is happening beneath the skin. But it does appear that the front end is wider, giving the next-generation model – whatever it will ultimately be called – a wider front track and more room in the engine bay. Those who've been following the news will know that Aston has signed a deal with Mercedes-AMG that will see the German automaker's performance division supply it with a new powerplant, but that's not expected to be ready for the DB9 successor's arrival. Look for it to pop up in production guise sometime next year, then, with an evolution of Gaydon's long-serving and ubiquitous 6.0-liter V12 engine that's already developing 592 horsepower in the Vantage GT3... excuse us, Porsche: "GT12." Related Video: