2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster--rare 1 Of 1 Color Combination on 2040-cars

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The Acura NSX leads this month's list of discounts

For the second time in the last three months, the Acura NSX has a larger monetary discount than any other vehicle in America. Acura's hybrid super coupe packs 573 horsepower under its sleek bodywork, sufficient to send it sailing off to 60 miles per hour in a scant 2.9 seconds. But it doesn't exactly fly off the showroom floor with the same level of urgency. Buyers of the NSX are paying an average of $138,078 right now, which is a savings of $22,823 off its window sticker. That represents a 14.2% discount, which is also the largest percentage savings in February. And if the NSX doesn't quite fit into your future plans, Acura is also heavily discounting the ILX, TLX, RLX and MDX, so much so that those five models from the premium Japanese brand all appear in the top 10 biggest discounts this month. 2020 Acura NSX View 11 Photos The sleek 2020 Aston Martin Vantage slides into second place on the biggest discounts list, with an average of $18,763 lopped off its sticker price resulting in an average transaction price of $137,298. That's awfully close to the out-the-door price of the leading Acura NSX, which is a quicker and more technologically advanced machine, though arguably less traditionally beautiful. Rounding out this month's top three discounts is the 2020 Audi R8, buyers of which are averaging $17,888 off the sticker price for an average transaction of $179,238. Note that the Audi R8 is available as both a coupe and a convertible, with two power levels offered from its standard V10 engine. That means some R8s are certainly going to be much pricier than others. For a look at the best new car deals in America based on the percentage discount off their suggested asking prices, check out our monthly recap here. And when you're ready to buy, click here for the Autoblog Smart Buy program, which brings you a hassle-free buying experience with over 9,000 Certified Dealers nationwide.

Are supercars becoming less special?

There's little doubt that we are currently enjoying the golden age of automotive performance. Dozens of different models on sale today make over 500 horsepower, and seven boast output in excess of 700 hp. Not long ago, that kind of capability was exclusive to supercars – vehicles whose rarity, performance focus, and requisite expense made them aspirational objects of desire to us mortals. But more than that, supercars have historically offered a unique driving experience, one which was bespoke to a particular model and could not be replicated elsewhere. But in recent years, even the low-volume players have been forced to find the efficiencies and economies of scale that formerly hadn't been a concern for them, and in turn the concept of the supercar as a unique entity unto itself is fading fast. The blame doesn't fall on one particular manufacturer nor a specific production technique. Instead, it's a confluence of different factors that are chipping away at the distinction of these vehicles. It's not all bad news – Lamborghini's platform sharing with Audi for the Gallardo and the R8 yielded a raging bull that was more reliable and easier to live with on a day-to-day basis, and as a result it went on to become the best-selling Lambo in the company's history. But it also came at the cost of some of the Italian's exclusivity when eerily familiar sights and sounds suddenly became available wearing an Audi badge. Even low-volume players have been forced to find economies of scale. Much of this comes out of necessity, of course. Aston Martin's recent deal with Mercedes-AMG points toward German hardware going under the hood and into the cabin of the upcoming DB11, and it's safe to assume that this was not a decision made lightly by the Brits, as the brand has built a reputation for the bespoke craftsmanship of its vehicles. There's little doubt that the DB11 will be a fine automobile, but the move does jeopardize some of the characteristic "specialness" that Astons are known for. Yet the world is certainly better off with new Aston Martins spliced with DNA from Mercedes-AMG rather than no new Astons at all, and the costs of developing cutting-edge drivetrains and user interfaces is a burden that's becoming increasingly difficult for smaller manufacturers to bear. Even Ferrari is poised to make some dramatic changes in the way it designs cars.

Aston Martin’s Valkyrie looks ready to melt ice in new photos

Aston Martin took to Instagram to release a trio of official images of its forthcoming Valkyrie hypercar bathed in a graduated, nose-to-tail ice blue color scheme befitting its mythological Nordic name and making it look sleek, fast and aggressive. Built from a partnership with Red Bull Racing, the Formula 1-inspired but road-legal car appears to have been further refined since we last saw comprehensive images of a prototype last year. CEO Andy Palmer last month tweeted a 20-second teaser clip to show off the high-revving, F1-like sound of its 6.5-liter V12 engine, which is loosely based on Cosworth's 2.4-liter V8 but rumored to hover above 1,000 horsepower, plus more from a kinetic energy recovery system working the front axle, making it likely the fastest street-legal production car. Taking inspiration from today's #F1 race cars, Aston Martin Valkyrie features a reclined 'feet up' position, ensuring the driver feels at one with the car for the ultimate drive experience #BeautifulToDrive #AstonMartin #AstonMartinValkyrie A post shared by Aston Martin (@astonmartinlagonda) on Nov 1, 2018 at 11:30am PDT The F1 influence is clear from the shot of the cabin, which is swathed in carbon fiber and where the seats are positioned in a reclined "feet up" position. It also features six-point harnesses for driver and passenger, and a steering wheel that will display all information for the driver. There are also two screens visible — one centered on the console, the other positioned near the door jamb, which is likely a camera-monitor replacement for side mirrors, meaning there's almost certainly a third screen on the driver's side that isn't visible in the photo. Motor 1 reports that the Valkyrie is in the final stages of simulation, with an actual car set to begin testing late this year or early in 2019, though the final version will likely weigh a bit more than its targeted 2,204 pounds. All 150 models have been sold out and are scheduled for delivery in 2019. A track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro said to make 1,100 hp and do a top speed of 225 mph is also planned for 2020. Related Video: Featured Gallery Aston Martin Valkyrie Image Credit: Aston Martin Aston Martin Coupe Luxury Racing Vehicles Performance supercar Red Bull Racing hypercar Aston Martin Valkyrie aston martin valkyrie amr pro